GIFT   OF 


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JUL  19  1918 


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NOTES  ON'^^^^^i' 

dNIVBRSlTY 


THE  GERMAN  MM^ 


IN  THE  WAR 


Translated  at  the  Army  War  College,  from  a 
French  official  document  of  April,  1917 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFHCE 

191/ 


^^:V 


WAB  DEPARTMENT 
Document  No.  638 

Qfficeof  The  Adjutant  General 


y 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  July  28,  1917. 
The  following  Notes  on  the  German  Army  in  the  War  are  pub- 
lished for  the  information  of  all  concerned. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  op  War: 
[062.13  A.  G.  0.] 

TASKER  H.  BLISS, 
Major  General^  Acting  Chief  of  Staff. 
Official: 

H.  P.  McCain, 

Tfte  Adjutant  General. 

S 


377T7 


'± 


CONTENTS. 

Chapter.  Page. 

I.  The  German  Army  before  mobilization 7 

II.  The  German  Army  during  mobilization 9 

A.  Besources 9 

B.  The  army  mobilized 9 

III.  The  German  Army  in  the  field 11 

A.  Large  units  created.    Their  composition 11 

B.  Modification  of  existing  units.  Creation  of  units 
of  specialists.  Employment  of  new  or  more  per- 
fected material  in  the  infantry,  artillery,  and 
pioneers 11 

IV.  (iVrms  of  the  service.    Recruiting.    Mobilization.    Cadres. 

Instruction 25 

5 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  GERMAN  ARMY  BEFORE  MOBILIZATION. 

The  Army  consisted  of  1  guard  corps;  21  army  corps  numbered 
from  1  to  21  (Twelfth  and  Nineteenth  Saxons,  Thirteenth  Wiirttem- 
bergers,  Fourteenth  Badens);  3  Bavarian  Army  corps;  total,  25 
army  corps. 

All  army  corps  comprised,  as  a  rule,  two  divisions  and  the  follow- 
ing troops  not  contained  in  divisions:  One  or  more  foot  artillery 
regiments  (of  two  battalions);  one  or  more  four-company  pioneer 
battalions;  one  train  section;  (later)  a  battalion  of  light  infantry 
and  a  detachment  of  machine  guns. 

A  division  comprised  generally  two  brigades  of  infantry  (each  with 
two  regiments  of  three  battalions);  one  brigade  of  artillery  (two 
regiments,  of  two  battalions,  of  three  batteries,  of  six  guns);  one 
brigade  of  cavalry  (^two  regiments). 

INFANTRY. 

It  comprised — 

First.  Two  hundred  and  seventeen  regiments  of  3  battalions,  con- 
sisting of  11  regiments  of  the  guard  (5  regiments  grenadiers,  5  regi- 
ments foot  guards,  and  1  regiment  of  fusiliers);  182  regiments,  num- 
bered from  1  to  182;  24  Bavarian  regiments,  numbered  from  1  to  23, 
and  a  Lieb  regiment. 

Second.  Eighteen  battalions  of  chasseurs,  of  4  companies,  plus  a 
company  of  machine  guns  and  a  cyclist  company;  (14  battalions 
numbered  from  1  to  14;  2  battalions  of  guards,  2  Bavarian  battalions). 

Third".  Companies  of  machine  guns  (one  to  a  regiment  or  battalion 
of  chasseurs) . 

Fourth.  Eleven  detachments  of  machine  guns  (for  cavalry  di- 
visions). 

Fifth.  Sixteen  fortress  machine-gun  detachments. 

CAVALRY. 

It  comprised  110  regiments,  divided  into — 

First.  Fourteen  regiments  of  heavy  cavalry:  One  of  guard  corps; 
9  of  cuirassiers  (from  1  to  8  plus  1  regiment  of  the  guard);  2  of 
heavy  Saxon  cavalry;  2  of  heavy  Bavarian  cavalry. 


8'     ,  .  v  .     NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

Second.  Twenty-six  regiments  of  line  cavalry  (Uhlans):  Three  of 
the  guard  (1  to  3),  16  Prussian  (1  to  16),  3  Saxon  (Nos.  17,  18,  21),  2 
Wiirttemberger  (Nos.  19  and  20),  and  2  Bavarian  (Nos.  1  and  2). 

Third.  Seventy  regiments  of  light  cavalry:  Twenty-eight  regi- 
ments of  dragoons;  21  regiments  of  hussars;  13  regiments  of  mounted 
chasseurs;  8  regiments  of  Bavarian  light  horse.  There  existed  only 
one  division  of  cavalry  in  peace  times,  that  of  the  guard. 

ARTILLERY, 

First.  Field  artillery:  One  hundred  regiments  (guard  from  1  to  4; 
line  from  1  to  84;  Bavarian,  from  1  to  12);  1  "regiment  of  instruction, 
at  Jiiterbog. 

Second.  Foot  artillery:  Twenty-live  two-battalion  regiments,  in- 
cluding three  Bavarian  regiments,  one  of  the  guard,  and  one  instruc- 
tion regiment  at  Jiiterbog. 

PIONEERS. 

Thirty-five  battalions,  with  35  searchlight  detachments. 

LINE    OF   COMMUNICATION    TROOPS. 

Railroaders. — Three  regiments  and  a  battalion  of  Prussians;  one 
Bavarian  battalion;  three  Berlin-Jiiterbog  companies  for  railroad 
operation. 

Telegraphers. — Ten  battalions,  including  two  IBavarian  (45  com- 
panies, including  16  wireless). 

Aeronauts. — Six  battalions  (17  companies);  one  mixed  battalion 
of  aeronauts  and  automobilists.  Bavarian. 

Automohilists. — One  battalion  (4  companies) ;  1  Bavarian  company. 

Aviators. — Five  battalions,  including  1  Bavarian  (14  companies). 

THE    TRAIN. 

Twenty-five  four-squadron  sections  (doubled  at  mobilization). 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  GERMAN  ARMY  AT  MOBILIZATION, 

A.    RESOURCES — ^B.   THE   MOBILIZED  ARMY. 

A.  Recruiting  resources.  (See  the  pamphlet  '"^liat  v/e  should 
know  of  the  German  Army,"  22d  edition,  pp.  7-9.) 

B,  The  army  mobilized:  It  comprised  at  the  beginning — 
First.  The  25  corps  of  peace  times,  mobilized. 

Second.  Reserve  corps  (less  in  number  than  the  active  corps — 
about  15). 

Third.  Some  landwehr  units  (mixed  brigades  and  divisions). 

Fourth.  Some  formations  of  landsturm  (battalions  and  groups)  of 
an  uncertain  number  of  battalions. 

Fifth,  Cavalry  divisions  (11  divisions). 

Composition  of  the  Mobilized  Army  Corps,  Headquarters  and 

Staff. 

Infantry. — Two  divisions.     (See  below.) 

Artillery. — One  battalion  of  heavy  artillery  (4  batteries  of  4  heavy 
howitzers  of  15  cm.)  and  light-ammunition  column. 

Pioneers. — One  company  of  pioneers,  with  bridge  equipment;  1 
telegraphers'  section  of  the  army  corps;  1  telephonist  detachment; 
1  wireless  detachment  (2  stations);  1  detachment  of  field  signalers; 
1  detachment  of  aeronauts  (with  gas  column);  columns  of  ammu- 
nition (4  infantry  and  8  artillery) ;  1  ammunition  column  of  8  cais- 
sons for  heavy  ho^^itzers;  trains;  1  field  bakery  and  bridge  equip- 
ment of  army  corps;  6  provisions  columns;  7  supply  columns;  12 
field  hospitals;  2  remount  depots,  of  100  horses  each. 

COMPOSITION   OF  THE   INFANTRY   DIVISION. 

Two  infantry  brigades  of  2  regiments  of  3  battalions,  with  1  com- 
pany of  machine  guns  (7  guns,  including  1  spare  one). 

Cavalry. — Divisional  squadions  of  variable  number  (2,  3,  or  4). 

Artillery. — One  brigade  of  2  regiments  of  field  artillery.  Each 
regiment  comprised  2  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  6  guns.  In  one  of 
5104'— 17 2  9 


10  NOTES  ON  THE  GEEMAN  ARMY. 

tliese  divisions  a  battalion  was  armed  with.  10.5  centimeter  howitzers; 
total,  72  guns. 

Pioneers. — A  telephonist  detachment,  a  searchlight  section,  four 
light  ammunition  columns  of  artillery,  ambulances. 

COMPOSITION    OP  THE    RESERVE    ARMY   CORPS. 

About  the  same  as  that  of  the  active  corps,  except  the  artillery. 
The  reserve  division  comprised  originally  only  one  artillery  regi- 
ment (of  2  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  6  guns)  and  did  not  usually  have 
field  howitzers;  total,  thirty-six  77-caliber  guns,  instead  of  the  72 
in  the  active  division.  Actually  the  regiment  of  artillery  has,  as  a 
rule,  9  batteries,  including  2  or  3  light  howitzers.  There  even  ex- 
ists with  the  Twelfth  (Saxon)  and  Fourteenth  (Wiirttemberg-Baden) 
Corps  of  Reserves,  one  brigade  of  field  artillery  to  a  division. 

Landirehr. — Landwehr  brigades  were  generally  organized  as  mixed 
brigades,  of  2  regiments  of  infantry,  1  or  2  batteries  of  artillery,  a 
squadron  of  cavalry,  and  a  company  of  pioneers.  Several  mixed 
brigades  have  been  grouped  two  together  into  divisions  of  I.andwehr, 
with  one  or  two  regiments  of  artillery  (of  2  battalions  of  3  batteries). 

The  brigades  bore  the  number  of  that  brigade  of  the  corps  which 
had  the  lowest  number. 

At  the  beginning  of  1916  there  were  1  corps  and  21  divisions  of 
Landwehr.     In  October,  about  25  divisions. 

Landsturm. — The  unit  was  the  battalion  (one  or  more  battalions 
in  a  Landwehr  district).  In  certain  places  there  were  groups  of 
battalions  of  Landsturm.  There  have  also  been  formed  squadrons 
and  batteries  of  Landsturm,  as  vi^ell  as  battalions  of  laborers. 


CHAPTER  III. 
THE  GERMAN  ARMY  IN  THE  FIELD. 

A.  LARGE  UNITS  CREATED,  THEIR  COMPOSITION. — B,  MODIFICATION 
OF  EXISTING  UNITS.  CREATION  OF  UNITS  OF  SPECIALISTS.  EM- 
PLOYMENT OF  NEW  OR  MORE  PERFECTED  MATERIALS  IN  THE 
PIONEERS,  INFANTRY,  AND  ARTILLERY. 

Created  units,  their  composition. — In  the  beginning  of  the  cam- 
paign, after  rapidly  crushing  the  enemy  by  numbers,  Germany 
wished  to  utiHze  her  enormous  resources  of  men.  To  that  end  she 
formed,  in  addition  to  the  army  mobilized  the  first  days,  the  different 
formations  indicated  below  in  chronological  order. 

First.  Ersatz  formations  (since  August,  1914). — These  formations, 
foreseen  in  peace  time,  were  to  be  used,  as  a  rule,  only  as  garrisons 
for  frontier  posts. 

Second.  Reserve  corps. — Series  of  October,  1914.  Nos.  XXII 
to  XXVII  and  Sixth  Division  of  Bavarian  Reserve.     Marine  Corps. 

Third.  Reserve  corps. — Series  of  January,  1915,  Nos.  XXVIII  to 
XLI  and  Eighth  Division  of  Bavarian  Reserve.  This  creation  was 
the  last  of  the  real  creations  of  the  German  Army  in  1915.  The  new 
units  formed  later  are  merely  selections  from  already  existing  units. 
These  are — 

Fourth.  The  five  divisions  of  series  50  (from  March,  1915 — Nos.  50, 
52,  54,  56,  58)  plus  the  Tenth  Bavarian  Division. 

Fifth.  The  12  divisions  of  the  series  100  (from  March.  Uneven 
numbers  from  101  to  123,  inclusive)  plus  the  Eleventh  Bavarian 
Division.     (A  One  hundred  and  eighth  Division  was  created  later.) 

Sixth.  The  brigades  numbered  183,  185,  187,  192,  and  the  Twenty- 
fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  Bavarian  Regiments. — From  May,  1915. 
(These  brigades  were  transformed  into  divisions  in  1916.) 

ALPINE   CORPS. 

Seventh.  The  numbered  regiments  (series  10  and  300). — ^Usually 
grouped  in  large  units  of  Ersatz  and  Landsturm.     From  June,  1915. 

Eighth.  The  divisions  201  to  204,  205  (later)  and  Twelfth  Bavarian 
Division.  Formed  in  the  interior  of  Germany  from  resources  of  the 
depots  toward  the  middle  of  1915.    The  divisions  195,  197,  199, 

11 


12  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

200,  and  206  to  227,  as  well  as  the  Fourteenth  Bavarian  ])i vision, 
and  later  the  Sixteenth  Bavarian  Division,  were  formed  at  the  front 
by  selections  from  existing  units. 

Ninth.  Landwehr  Divisions,  formed  by  regiments  of  the  series  500. 

Tenth.  A.  The  13  divisions  of  the  series.— 22,1,  half  composed  of  the 
class  of  1898;  242,  one-fourth  composed  of  selections,  one-fourth  of 
convalescent  wounded. 

B.  The  10  divisions  of  series  251,  com.prising,  no  doubt,  the  same 
elements,  but  in  different  proportions. 

COMPOSITION    OF   NEWLY    CREATED    UNITS. 

First.  Ersatz  formations. — The  word  Ersatz  implies  sometimes  a 
class  of  newly  sulmmoned  recrmts  (see  Chap.  I),  sometimes  battalions 
in  depot  (see  Inf.  Mob.,  Chap.  IV),  and  sometimes  mobile  formations 
coming  from  these  depots.  It  is  with  these  last  that  we  are  con- 
cerned here.     They  are — 

A.  Ersatz  battalion  brigades  (B.  E.  B.). — ^With  the  best  material  of 
the  depots  a  B.  E.  B.  was  formed  for  every  brigade  of  infantry, 
because  there  were  two  companies  in  each  regimental  depot.  Each 
B.  E.  B.  bore  the  number  of  its  mobilized  brigade.  In  the  army 
corps  these  B.  E.  B.'s  have  usually  been  grouped  in  one  brigade, 
bearing  the  number  of  the  brigade  of  the  army  corps  which  has  the 
lowest  number. 

B.  Ersatz  battalions  of  the  active  or  re'ierve  regiments. — In  the  depots 
of  certain  infantry  regiments  (active  or  reserve),  where  the  recruit- 
ing resources  permitted,  entire  battalions  were  picked  out  and  sent 
to  the  front,  either  to  form  fourth  battalions,  or  as  an  independent 
unit,  or  to  enter  into  the  composition  of  Ersatz  regiments. 

C.  It  was  with  the  elements  of  the  categories  h  and  B,  above, 
that  the  Ersatz  regiments  and  Ersatz  reserve  regiments  were  formed. 
They  usually  bore  the  name  of  their  commander,  and  sometimes 
the  number  of  the  brigade  or  division  which  organized  them. 

D.  Ersatz  reserve  units,  Landwehr  and  Landsturm  (Landwehr 
B.  E.  B.,  Ersatz  battalions  of  Landwehr,  reserve  regiments  of 
Ersatz  and  Landwehr),  have  the  same  method  of  formation  as  cate- 
gories A,  B,  and  C. 

E.  Large  Ersatz  units  {active  or  reserve). — Brigades,  divisions,  and 
army  corps.  These  were  created  by  the  joining  of  Ersatz  regi- 
ments to  whom  Ersatz  units  of  different  branches  were  assigned, 
formed  on  the  same  lines  as  the  infantry  units.  (Ersatz  companies 
of  machine  guns,  Ersatz  companies  of  cyclists,  Ersatz  squadrons  of 
cavalry,  Ersatz  companies  of  pioneers.) 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  13 

Some  divisions  have  a  regiment  of  artillery  (2  battalions  of  5  bat- 
teries of  4  guns).  Others  have  two  regiments,  formed  by  uniting 
mobile  Ersatz  groups. 

F.  Regiments  of  the  series  300. — (See  further  creations  from  June, 
below.) 

Second.  Reserve  corps  (October  series  and  Marine  Corps). — In 
October  Germany  put  in  the  field  six  reserve  army  corps  and  one 
Bavarian  division  (Sixth  Bavarian  Reserve  Division)  and  the  ]\Iarine 
Corps. 

Corps  numbered  from  XXII  to  XXVII  are  formed  with  infantry 
regiments  of  the  series  200  (201  to  248)  and  of  chasseur  battalions 
(numbered  from  15  to  26  of  the  reserves).  The  Sixth  Reserve  Bava- 
rian Division  comprises  the  regiments  16,  17,  20,  21  of  reserve. 

These  corps  are  formed  by  volunteers,  men  from  depots,  remains 
of  certain  regiments,  and,  finally,  by  Landwehriens. 

Cavalry. — About  a  squadron  to  a  division. 

Infantry. — Each  corps  had  8  regiments  of  infantry  and  2  battal- 
ions of  reserve  chasseurs.  Each  regiment  had  3  battalions  and  1 
platoon  of  machine  guns  (instead  of  1  company  in  the  active  regi- 
ments). 

Artillei-y. — Each  division  actually  has  a  regiment  of  3  battalions  of 
3  batteries  of  4  guns,  that  is  to  say,  36  guns  per  division.  Usually  1 
of  the  three  battalions  is  armed  with  howitzers. 

Heavy  Artillery. — WTien  they  were  created,  each  Reserve  Corps 
was  given  1  or  2  heavy  batteries,  bearing  the  number  of  the  corps. 
This  allowance  has  been  raised  to  a  battalion,  and  in  some  cases, 
even  to  an  entire  regiment  of  heavy  artillery. 

Pioneers. — A  company  per  division,  with  bridge  equipment. 

The  Marine  Corps  had  as  a  nucleus  the  3  infantry  battalions  of 
marines  of  peace  times,  transformed  little  by  little  into  regiments. 
Later  5  regiments  of  rifle  marines  were  taken  from  the  fleet.  The 
Corps  has  been  given  Landwehr  cavalry  and  artillery. 

Third .  Reserve  Corps  of  the  series  of  January,  and  the  Eighth  Bavarian 
Reserve  Division. — In  January  Germany  made  a  new  effort  and  put 
into  line  4  new  reserve  corps  and  a  Bavarian  reserve  division  (the 
Eighth).  These  corps,  numbered  from  XXXVIII  to  XLI,  com- 
prise the  regiments  of  the  series  249  to  272. 

These  regiments  are  largely  composed  of  men  of  the  class  of  1914, 
of  slightly  wounded  returned  to  the  front,  and  of  Ersatz  reservists. 

The  Eighth  Bavarian  Reserve  Division  comprises  the  Eighteenth, 
Nineteenth,  Twenty-second,  and  Twenty-third  Reserve  Regiments. 


14  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  AEMY. 

These  reserve  army  corps  have  been  formed  of  only  six  regiments, 
instead  of  the  usual  eight. 

The  regiments  have  the  same  composition  as  those  of  the  October 
series  (they  have  one  complete  machine-gun  company  to  a  regi- 
ment). 

Artillei'y. — The  artillery  of  these  reserve  corps  comprises  2  regi- 
menti  to  a  division,  each  of  2  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  4  guns.  A 
certain  number  of  these  batteries  were,  at  the  beginning,  armed 
with  the  old-fashioned  9-cm.  gun.  One  of  the  8  battalions  of  the 
reserve  corps  is  usually  armed  with  105  howitzers.  Therefore  there 
are  to  a  division  48  guns  and  howitzers. 

Heavy  artillery. — ^A  battalion  of  3  or  4  batteries  of  4  guns  of  reserve 
foot  artillery,  bearing  the  same  number  as  that  of  the  reserve  corps. 

In  addition,  each  army  corps  comprised  1  battalion  of  pioneers, 
of  3  companies,  2  sanitation  companies,  2  reserve  cyclist  companies, 

2  train  detachments,  2  divisional  bridge  equipments,  1  telephonist 
detachment,  1  searchlight  detachment. 

Fourth.  Divisions  of  the  series  50,  and  the  Tenth  Bavarian  Division 
(creation  of  March,  1915). — These  divisions,  numbered  50,  52,  54, 
56,  58,  and  the  Tenth  Bavarian  Division,  are,  properly  speaking, 
reconstructed  divisions.  They  were  formed  by  the  German  staff  at 
a  moment  when  reserve  groups  were  desired.  They  were  formed 
by  selecting  units  from  active  or  reserve  corps  (original  formations), 
and  comprised  only  three  regiments  of  infantry  and  one  cyclist 
company  bearing  the  number  of  the  division. 

Their  artillery  (regiments  of  the  series  100)  was  made  up  of  elements 
taken  from  existing  units.     It  includes  2  regiments  of  2  battalions  of 

3  batteries  of  4  guns,  or  48  guns.     One  of  the  4  battalions  is  generally 
armed  with  105  howitzers. 

Heavy  artillery. — One  battalion  of  4  batteries  of  4  guns,  bearing  the 
number  of  the  division,  formed  by  selections  from  already-existing 
units. 

Pioneers. — ^Two  companies. 

Cavalry. — ^As  a  rule,  two  squadrons. 

Fifth.  Divisions  of  the  seiies  100,  and  the  Eleventh  Bavarian 
Division  (March,  1915). — These  divisions  are  numbered  from  101 
to  123  (even  numbers  do  not  exist,  except  the  One  hundred  and 
eighth  Division,  which  was  created  later).  There  are,  then,  13 
divisions  of  this  series.  The  mode  of  formation  was  the  same  as 
that  of  the  divisions  of  series  50. 

For  the  infantry,  the  composition  is  the  same  as  for  the  divisions 
of  series  50. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  16 

Field  artillenj .—The  artillery  at  first  appeared  to  be  weaker. 
Certain  divisions  had  only  one  regiment  of  artillery  of  7  or  8  bat- 
teries of  4  guns,  making  a  total  of  from  28  to  32  guns.  Now  they 
have  at  least  9  batteries,  or  36  guns.  The  One  hundred  and 
twenty-third  Division  (Saxon)  has  two  regiments  of  field  artillery. 

Heavy  artillery. — Like  the  division  of  series  50,  i.  e.,  1  battalion 
of  4  batteries  of  4  guns.. 

Pioneers. — One  company. 

Sixth,  Brigades  of  the  series  183,  185,  187,  and  192.— The  creation 
of  large  units  having  exhausted  the  supply  of  cadres,  the  Germans 
tried  at  one  time  to  use  their  late  surplus  in  men  to  swell  the  effec- 
tives of  existing  units.  Some  regiments  had  their  companies 
brought  up  to  300  men.  Others  had  1,  2,  3,  or  even  4  supplementary 
companies.  The  Germans  then  grouped  these  increased  units,  and 
from  this  groupment  came  the  regiments  of  the  series  183  to  190,  etc., 
and  the  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  Bavarian,  completed  with 
the  aid  of  individual  selections  from  existing  corps.  These  regi- 
ments were  later  grouped  in  brigades  of  3  regiments,  to  which  were 
given  some  artillery  (1  battalion)  and  later  pioneers  (1  company). 
Finally,  in  1916,  divisions  were  made  from  them  by  greatly  aug- 
menting their  artillery,  giving  them  a  regiment  of  9  batteries  (in  the 
case  of  the  185th  and  192d  Divisions),  or  even  a  brigade  of  2  regi- 
ments (in  the  case  of  the  183d  and  187th  Division).  The  Alpine 
Corps  owes  its  existence  to  Italy's  entering  the  war,  and  was  organ- 
ized with  a  certain  number  of  chasseur  battalions  and  the  Bavarian 
Leib  Regiment. 

Seventh.  Groups  of  Ersatz  and  Landsturm  units,  from  June,  1915. 
These  units  embrace : 

(1)  Existing  Ersatz  units  (active,  reserve,  Landsturm,  Landwehr). 
These  units  have  been  grouped  into  regiments  bearing  numbers 
from  329  up.  (The  numbers  from  401  to  416  and  from  442  to  477 
are  not  part  of  this  series.) 

(2)  Existing  Landsturm  units  grouped  into  regiments  bearing 
sometimes  the  number  of  active  regiments  belonging  to  that  region 
of  the  army  corps  where  they  were  formed  (series  109,  115,  and  118), 
and  sometimes  th  number  of  the  army  corps  which  produced  them 
(1  to  20),  followed  by  their  own  numbers. 

The  Landsturm  battalions  are  numbered  according  to  a  series 
which,  in  each  army  corps,  begins  with  1  and  unites  the  Ersatz 
battalions  of  the  Landsturm.  The  highest  number  indicates  the 
minimum  number  of  Landsturm  battahons  of  the  army  corps. 


16  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

As  a  rule,  the  men  wear  on  their  collars  the  number  of  the  army- 
corps  in  Roman  figures,  followed  by  the  battalion  (or  battery)  num- 
ber in  Arabic  figures. 

Eighth.  Divisions  of  the  series  201  to  205,  the  Twelfth  Bavarian 
Division,  divisions  of  the  series  195,  197,  199,  200,  206  to  227,  and  the 
Fourteenth  and  Sixteenth  Bavarian  Divisions. — The  first  series  em- 
braces divisions  formed  in  the  interior  of  Germany  by  the  help  of 
selections  from  depots.    They  are  made  up  of  the  following: 

Infantry. — One  brigade  of  3  regiments  of  3  battalions,  plus  1  com- 
pany of  machine  guns.  The  brigades  have  been  numbered  nor- 
mally by  doubling,  except  the  Twelfth  Bavarian  Division,  the  throe 
regiments  of  which  constitute  a  brigade  which  has  taken  a  number 
following  active  Bavarian  brigades. 

Artillery. — Probably  1  regiment  of  9  batteries. 

The  second  series  embraces  the  divisions  formed  at  the  front  by 
the  aid  of  selections  of  parts  (regiments,  usually,  and  battalions  of 
chasseurs)  of  existing  units.     Composition: 

Infantry. — ^One  brigade  of  3  regiments  of  3  ])attalions,  plus  1  com- 
pany of  machine  guns. 

Artillery. — One  regiment  of  8  or  9  batteries. 

Ninth.  Divisions  of  Landwehr  (series  19  and  20). — Each  formed  by 
regiments  of  Landwehr,  series  300.  Two  of  these  divisions,  the 
Nineteenth  and  Twentieth,  were  identified  on  the  western  front 
on  October  17,  1916.  These  divisions  seem  to  have  been  created 
in  September,  1916.  The  regiments  which  enter  into  their  composi- 
tion were  formed  at  the  front,  largely  selected  elements  from  Land- 
sturm  battalions,  supply  services,  and  also  from  depots  in  the 
interior.  The  Nineteenth  Division  consists  largely  of  Saxon  ele- 
ments. These  divisions  may  be  classed  in  the  same  category  as 
the  divisions  201  to  204. 

Tenth.  Divisions  of  the  series  beginning  231  and  the  series  beginning 
251. 

A,  Series  from  2Sl.—1en  Prussian  divisions  (231  V  240),  1  Saxon 
(241),  1  Wurtembergan  (2-42),  and  1  Bavarian  (15). 

These  divisions  include  the  regiments  of  the  series  442  to  447, 
and  the  Thirtieth,  Thirty-first,  and  Thirty-secon  I  Bavarian  Regi- 
ments, composed  50  per  cent  of  1918  recruits,  25  per  cent  of  selec- 
tions from  the  front,  and  25  per  cent  of  convalescent  wounded. 

Composition  of  a  division: 

Infantry. — Three  regiments  of  3  battalions  of  4  companies,  plus 
1  company  of  machine  guns,  forming  a  brigade  bearing  the  same 
number  as  the  division. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  17 

Artillery. — One  regiment  of  3  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  4  guns, 
and  1  ammunition  column  to  a  battalion. 

Engineers. — Two  companies  of  pioneers,  1  company  of  trench 
mortars,  telephone  section  ^dth  2  signalling  detachments. 

Health  service. — One  company  of  sanitation,  2  ambulances. 

Trains. — One  divisional  motor  section. 

B.  Series  from  251. — Ten  (?)  divisions  (251  to  260)  composed  of  4 
regiments,  each  of  the  series  600.  These  regiments  are  recruited  in 
part  like  the  preceding  ones,  but  the  proportions  do  not  seem  to  be 
the  same,  and  there  are  a  fairly  large  number  of  old  men,  selected 
even  from  Ersatz  battalions  of  Landsturm. 

B.  MODIFICATION  OF  EXISTING  UNITS.  CREATION  OF 
UNITS  OF  SPECIALISTS,  EMPLOYMENT  OF  NEW  OR 
MORE  PERFECTED  MATERIAL  IN  THE  INFANTRY, 
ARTILLERY,  AND  PIONEERS. 

The  creation  of  large  units  during  the  war  affected  the  constitution 
of  units  existing  at  mobilization,  as  they  had  to  lend  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers,  and  material.  On  the  other  hand,  experience 
in  the  war  has  demonstrated  the  necessity  for  enlarging  or  modifying 
certain  organizations  and  material,  and  creating  special  units. 

Below  are  outlined  the  different  modifications  which  have  been 
made: 

INFANTRY. 

A.  Cutting  down  the  number  of  infantry  regiments  in  most  of  the 
active  and  reserve  corps. — 'As  a  result  of  the  taking  of  entire  regiments 
for  the  formation  of  di\'isions  of  the  series  50,  100,  183,  etc.,  army 
corps,  with  rare  exceptions,  now  have  only  6  infantry  regiments 
instead  of  the  prescribed  8. 

On  April  1,  1917,  there  were  approximately  215  old  divisions,  of 
which  20  have  4  regiments,  or  2,250  battalions;  13  new  divisions; 
10  (?)  di\'isions  being  formed,  of  which  10  are  to  have  4  regiments; 
238  divisions  in  all,  of  which  30  have  or  are  to  have  4  regiments. 

B.  Increase  in  the  number  of  machine  guns—formation  of  machine- 
gun  organizations. — The  infantry  regiment  had,  at  the  beginning, 
1  company  of  machine  guns  of  3  platoons  of  2  guns,  plus  1  reserve 
gun.  This  was  augmented  first  by  the  addition  of  platoons  of  field 
machine  guns  (feld  maschinen  gewehr  ziige)  of  3  guns  (independent 
platoons  at  the  beginning),  then  by  the  addition  of  platoons  of  com- 
plement machine  guns  (erganzungziige)  also  of  3  guns,  both  having 

5104°— 17 — 3 


18  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  AEMY. 

been  formed  at  the  same  time.  Finally  a  certain  number  of  these 
platoons  were  grouped  in  companies  of  from  6  to  9  guns,  and  every 
regiment  of  infantry  has  actually  a  uniform  complement  of  3  com- 
panies of  machine  guns  (i.  e.,  about  24  guns).  Some  have  even  4 
companies. 

We  note  in  passing  the  use  of  detachments  of  fortress  machine  guns 
on  the  front,  and  the  utilization  of  machine  guns  captured  from  the 
enemy.  We  also  note  the  appearance  of  units  of ' '  Maschinenge wehr- 
Scharfshiitzentrupp "  of  6  or  9  guns,  which  are  selected  companies 
of  machine  guns,  created  according  to  the  same  idea  as  the  selected 
infantry  troops,  ''stoss  or  sturmtrupp"  (platoon,  company,  or 
battalion).  Units  of  ''Leichtmaschinengewehr."  The  platoon  of 
light  machine  guns  (leichter  Maschinengewehr-Trupp)  comprises  3 
groups  of  3  guns  each.  The  light  machine  gun  is  of  the  Bergmann 
system,  model  of  1915,  manufactured  at  Spandau.  This  gun, 
which  weighs  25  pounds,  was  originally  intended  for  aviation,  but 
was  found  to  be  technically  impracticable,  owing  to  its  irregularity 
of  function  during  flight.  The  cooling  of  the  gun  is  done  by  air,  but 
it  is  not  effective  after  250  or  300  rounds  of  continued  fire.  For 
this  reason  the  guns  have  been  grouped  in  threes,  firing  alternately 
a  series  of  30  cartridges,  and  giving  the  impression  of  fire  executed 
by  a  single  machine  gun.  This  gun  in  reality  is  only  a  simple 
automatic  rifle. 

At  the  end  of  October,  1916,  even  larger  formations  appeared,  and 
the  M.  G.  S.  S.  abteilungen  comprised  3  companies.  These  abtei- 
lungen  seem  to  be  di\isional  units. 

C.  Creation  of  Musleton  Battalions  (Mehrladerziel  ferurohrgewehr) 
and  infantry  machine  guns  {automatic  rifles). — As  the  fighting  value 
of  their  soldiers  decreased,  the  Germans  tried  to  increase  the  power 
and  precision  of  their  fire.  They  therefore  created  the  Musketon 
battalions,  3  of  which  have  so  far  been  identified.  Each  battalion, 
originally  of  3  companies,  possesses  to-day  4  companies  of  from 
150  to  170  men  each,  supplied  with  30  automatic  rifles  to  a  company, 
or  120  to  a  battalion. 

To  increase  the  effectiveness  of  the  fire  of  small  infantry  units  a 
certain  number  of  good  shots  in  each  unit  received  a  "Mehrlador," 
a  rifle  with  a  magazine  of  large  capacity  (25  cartridges)  which  fits 
under  the  arm.  But  this  arrangement  seems  to  be  disappearing. 
It  Avill  be  replaced  by  automatic  rifles,  or  "Infantry  Maschinen 
Gewehr,"  either  on  the  model  of  the  Bergmann  light  machine  gun, 
or  on  the  model  of  the  small  barrel  32  cartridges  gun,  or  on  the 
Madsen  model.    Each  company  will  have  an  "Infantry  M.   G. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  19 

Trupp"  of  3  (and  later  G)  guns.     Finally,  certain  Scharfschutzez 
will  receive  rifles  with  telescopic  sights  (zielfernrohr)  for  precise  fire. 

D.  Use  of  special  projectiles  "Spitzkerugeschoss^'  and  special  devices, 
Granatenwerfer,  signalwerfcr,  Light  Minenwerfer  (see  Pioneers). — The 
bullet  ''S  "  being  incapable  of  perforating  the  French  parapet  shield 
and  reaching  the  man  behind  it,  the  Germans  have  for  some  time 
been  using  bullet  ''K"  (Keru  geschloss),  a  projectile  similar  to  the 
ordinary  bullet  but  inclosing  an  elongated  core  of  steel. 

E.  Formation  of  supplementarp  cyclist  companies,  and  later  of 
cyclist  battalions  and  brigades,  to  increase  manoeuvering  possibilities 
and  the  mobility  of  a  large  number  of  small  units.  The  only  cyclist 
units  existing  at  mobilization  were  the  cyclist  companies  of  Chasseurs 
battalions.  Since  then  a  cyclist  company  has  been  organized  for 
most  of  the  newly  formed  di-\dsions  (some  of  the  active  and  reserve 
divisions  also  have  one). 

Of  the  (approximately)  200  existing  companies,  a  certain  number 
have  been  grouped  in  battalions.  Five  battalions  have  been  identi- 
fied, of  4  companies  each,  plus  a  njachine-gun  company  formed  by 
selecting  from  companies  of  battalions  of  chasseurs  or  cyclist  com- 
panies of  the  new  divisions  of  1915.  One  cyclist  brigade  (No.  2)  has 
been  organized,  formed  by  the  three  first  battalions. 

F.  Formation  of  specialized  companies  in  infantiy  regiments. — The 
number  of  existing  pioneer  units  have  proved  insufficient  for  the 
needs  of  the  present  war.  Infantry  units  therefore  have  had  to 
call  upon  specialists  in  their  ranks,  and  provide  themselves  with 
the  mechanisms  and  parts  of  machines  they  lacked.  Thus  a  great 
number  of  regiments  actually  have  a  company  of  regimental  pioneers 
or  miners,  organized  by  selection  of  specialists  from  the  other  units 
of  the  corps,  and  often  commanded  by  an  officer  of  pioneers.  Among 
the  names  given  to  these  units  are  noted  "Bergkompagnie  "  (miners), 
''Schauzkompagnie,"  and  ''Bau  und  Beten  Kompagnie,"  though 
the  latter  may  also  be  applied  to  specialist  companies  of  the  Ar- 
mierungs  battalions  which  are  discussed  below. 

G.  Unarmed  hattMlions  of  Landsturm,  Armierung  and  Arheiter 
battalions,  and  battalions  of  prisoners  of  war  and  civil  prisoners. — At 
mobilization  there  was  formed,  from  the  uninstructed  men  of  the 
Landsturm,  unarmed  battalions  of  Landsturm. 

These  battalions  comprised,  first,  fortification  battalions  (Armie- 
rung); second,  battalions  of  laborers  (Arbeiter). 

The  armament  battalions,  restricted  in  number  at  the  beginning, 
were  intendea  for  work  on  fortifications.  They  were  recruited, 
from  the  beginning  of  mobilization,  in  the  zones  of  the  fortifications. 


20  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

and  comprised  men  of  all  ages.  Their  work,  which  was  of  short 
duration,  being  finished,  these  men  were  again  available  and  shared 
the  lot  of  their  class. 

But  as  the  war  became  rapidly  one  of  position,  the  field  armies 
needed  large  numbers  of  fortification  battalions.  The  number  of 
these,  therefore,  has  been  steadily  increased. 

The  existing  battalions  have  sent  back,  little  by  little,  all  men 
capable  of  combatant  service,  and  all  men  called  at  the  time  of 
mobilization,  whose  age  at  that  time  exempted  them  from  com- 
batant service.  The  replacing  of  these  men,  and  the  formation  of 
new  battalions  has  been  accomplished  by  calling  out,  first,  the  most 
mediocre  men  of  the  uninstructed  Landsturm;  second,  the  %York- 
men  battalions. 

The  workmen  battalions,  organized  from  the  inferior  men  of  the 
uninstructed  Landsturm  then  available,  were  charged  with  the 
execution  of  heavy  work  in  the  zone  of  fortified  regions  and  behind 
field  armies.  As  a  result  of  the  ni^.merous  inroads  made  upon  them 
by  the  combatant  services  and  fortification  battalions,  the  workmen 
battalions  have  disappeared,  little  by  little,  and  have  been  replaced 
by  prisoners  of  war  and  civil  prisoners.  There  now  remain  only  a 
few  purely  German  workmen  units.  These  latter  are  charged  with 
the  execution  of  special  technical  work,  principally  on  the  lines  of 
communication . 

The  actual  status  of  these  Landsturm  battalions  seems  to  be: 

First.  Fortification  battalions. — There  are  about  190  fortification 
battalions  of  which  60  are  on  the  eastern  front.  Each  battalion 
comprises  about  4  or  5  companies,  of  about  200  men  each.  The 
distribution  of  fortification  battalions  on  the  different  fronts  seems 
to  have  been  made  with  the  idea  of  having  one  battalion  to  a  divi- 
sion sector.  But  in  the  zones  of  operations  this  proportion  has 
been  increased  by  shifting  them  from  quiet  zones,  and  even  by 
moving  them  from  one  theater  of  operations  •  to  another.  Thus, 
Verdun  drew  a  certain  number  of  battalions  used  until  then  on  the 
eastern  front.  ) 

Second.  WorJcmen  battalions. — The  workmen  battalions  have 
almost  entirely  disappeared.  There  seems  to  exist  only  100  com- 
panies, charged  with  the  construction  of  roads  (Strasenbau  Kom- 
pagnie),  and  a  few  battalions  charged  with  special  technical  work 
(Facharbeiter). 

The  depots  of  unarmed  Landsturm . — There  has  been  formed  in  each 
region  a -depot  of  variable  size  to  supply  the  fortification  battalions 
and  the  few  German  w^orkmen  battalions  still  in  existence.  These 
depots  draw  their  resources  from  the  waste  of  the  depots  of  other 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  21 

formations,  and,  perhaps,  will  include  shortly  elements  from  that 
contingent  which  will  be  called  out  by  the  law  on  national  auxiliary 
service. 

Battalions  of  war  prisoners  and  civil  prisoners. 

I.  Prisoner-of-ivar  battalions. — There  are  known  to  be  more  than 
150«battalions  of  prisoners  of  war.  From  information  gathered  on 
these  formations,  a  battalion  of  prisoners-of-war  comprises  2,000  men, 
guarded  by  a  company  of  Landsturm  taken  from  armed  Landsturm 
battalions. 

The  prisoner-of-war  battalions  are  used  for  the  same  work  as  the 
workmen  battalions  and  right  up  into  the  zone  of  fire.  This  is 
established  from  numerous  statements  of  escaped  prisoners  and 
different  documents . 

II.  Battalions  of  civil  prisoners. — Recently  a  certain  number  of 
battalions  of  civil  prisoners  (Zivil  arbeiter)  have  been  found.  The 
highest  known  number  is  31.  So  far  no  information  on  the  organi- 
zation of  these  battalions  has  been  procured.  Some  documents 
indicate  the  use  of  these  units  up  to  and  including  the  immediate 
zone  of  the  front. 

H.  Use  of  dogs. — In  a  great  number  of  organizations  dogs  are 
trained  for  two  purposes : 

Hrst.  As  Moldehund  (dog  to  carry  dispatches  from  one  post  to 
another;  for  example,  from  the  first  line  to  the  post  of  the  battalion 
commander).  Detachment  No.  46  has  been  remarked.  Second. 
As  postenhund  (guard  dogs  placed  by  a  sentinel  to  warn  of  approach 
of  enemy). 

The  sanitary  service  also  uses  dogs  to  find  wounded. 

In  the  same  way  in  order  to  assure  liaison  by  every  possible  means, 
field-pigeon  detachments  have  been  organized  in  the  army  corps. 
Divisions  in  the  first  line  are  provided  with  3  or  4  posts  of  4  carrier 
pigeons  each,  whose  cotes  are  usually  25  or  30  kilometers  (15.535  or 
18.641  miles)  in  the  rear.  Sometimes  carrier-pigeon  posts  have  been 
installed  in  the  first  line  trenches. 

ARTILLERY. 

A.  Reduction  of  the  number  of  guns  to  a  battery. — The  field  artillery 
of  the  new  formations,  having  been  formed  principally  by  selection, 
the  number  of  guns  of  existing  batteries  has  been  reduced,  and  the 
field  batteries  have  only  four  guns  instead  of  six. 

B.  Modification  in  the  number  of  batteries  and  increase  in  the  number 
of  light  howitzer  {105  millimeters)  in  the  division. — After  the  reduction 
of  the  number  of  guns  the  active  army  corps  had  only  48  guns  to  a 
di\dsion  (2  regiments  of  2  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  4  guns). 


22  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

Ail  the  other  divisions  which  had  at  first  a  smaller  number  of 
guns  have  been  tending  toward  48  guns  to  a  division.  (See  Chap.  IV, 
Artillery.)  But  now,  as  a  result  of  the  selections  made  to  equip 
the  artillery  of  the  new  divisions  and  the  reduction  of  the  divisional 
infantry  to  three  regiments,  the  average  complem(mt  of  artillery  in 
all  the  divisions  seems  to  be  one  regiment  of  three  battalions,  pos- 
sibly, if  the  productive  ability  of  Germany  permits,  this  comple- 
ment will  later  be  increased. 

The  artillery  of  caliber  77^  having  proved  of  little  use  in  the  field, 
the  Germans  have  increased  the  output  of  their  excellent  light 
howitzer  (105  mm.).  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  only  one  of  the 
battalions,  an  army  corps  (2  brigades  of  2  regiments  of  2  battalions 
of  3  batteries)  was  armed  with  the  105  howitzer.  To-day  every 
division,  no  matter  how  many  77  batteries  it  may  have,  has  usually 
three  105  batteries.  In  a  more  general  way,  jt  may  be  stated 
that  on  the  whole  the  proportion  of  light  howitzers  is  one-fourth 
and  possibly  even  one-third  of  the  artillery  complement  of  three 
battalions  to  a  division. 

C.  Increase  of  heavy  artillery. — The  initial  assignment  of  one 
battalion  of  heavy  artillery  to  an  army  corps  (4  batteries  of  4  guns  of 
heavy  15  cm.  howitzers)  has  been  found  insuflicient  in  the  course 
of  the  war.  In  the  first  months  of  the  war  it  was  increased  by  the 
addition  of  a  variable  number  of  batteries  of  9  cm.  (old),  then  by 
the  assignment  of  heavy  army  artillery  (battalions  of  mortars  com- 
prising two  batteries  of  four  21-cm.  mortars),  or  batteries  taken  from 
siege,  coast,  and  defense  artillery  (see  Chap.  IV,  Artillery).  Finally 
these  organizations  were  made  permanent,  especially  by  the  forma- 
tion, in  May,  1915,  of  heavy  batteries  of  the  series  200.  (See  Chap. 
IV,  Artillery.) 

According  to  certain  information  it  appears  that,  at  the  end  of 
1916,  the  complement  of  heavy  artillery  to  a  division  was  from  20 
to  25  pieces,  usually  3  batteries  of  15-cm.  heavy  howitzers,  1  bat- 
tery of  guns  (100,  130,  or  150  mm.)  and  one  battery  of  210  mortars. 
It  must  be  remembered,  however,  that  this  complement  varies  ac- 
cording to  the  sectors  of  the  front. 

D.  Infantry  guns  (see  above). 

E.  Antiaircraft  guns  (Abwehrkanone) .■ — They  are  of  different  cali- 
bers— 25,  77,  105,  75  mm.  They  are  generally  grouped  in  platoons 
of  two  guns  (about  one  platoon  to  a  division),  and  sometimes  even 
in  batteries  of  four  or  six  guns.     (See  Chap.  IV.) 


1  The  "77"  gun  has  just  been  provided  with  a  howitzer  carriage,  to  increase  its 
range  (Kanonim  Houbitz  Lafette). 


NOTES  OH  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  23 

F.  Formation  of  range  finders.- — As  this  war  lias  called  for  siege 
methods,  an  organization  of  range  finders  has  been  formed,  whose 
officers  are  charged  %vith  making  a  range  map  of  the  front,  and  often 
even  with  regulating  the  fire  of  the  heavy  batteries .  The  topographic 
or  battle  map  section  of  the  army  corps  is  called  "Messplouabtei- 
burg."  The  range  finders'  personnel  is  called  "Messtrupp."  The 
observing  stations  are  called  "Messtellen." 

There  also  exist  platoons  of  sound  locaters  (''Schallmesstrupp"), 
60  of  which  have  been  identified  so  far. 

The  army  is  also  provided  with  a  topographic  section,  called 
' '  Vermessungsabteulung . ' ' 

PIONEERS. 

Enlarging  of  units — Use  of  special  materials. — In  general,  tlie 
divisions  now  have  two  companies  of  pioneers  (instead  of  one), 
these  two  companies  have  just  been  grouped  with  the  divisional 
company  of  Minnenwerfer  and  that  of  Schmwerfer,  and  form  a 
battalion.  Special  appliances,  whose  use  on  a  lesser  scale  was  for- 
seen  before  the  war,  are  being  largely  used,  such  as  the  Minnen- 
werfer, Flammenwerfer,  Granatenwerfer,  Signalwerfer,  gas  pro- 
jectors, etc.     (See  Chap.  IV.) 

Each  company  (or  battery),  and  each  battalion  and  regimental 
headquarters  is  provided  with  a  Signalwerfer. 

Each  infantry  regiment  is  provided  with  a  detachment  of  2-1 
Granatenwerfers,  throwing  grenades  weighing  1.8  kilograms  (2.646 
pounds),  containing  2.25  grammes  of  explosive.  The  regiment  also 
has  3  sections  of  4  (and  later  8)  light  Minnenwerfers. 

AVIATION. 

Since  January,  1915,  the  Germans  have  increased  the  number  of 
their  squadrons.  There  was  usually  one  field  squadron  to  an  army 
corps,  and  one  to  an  army.  Up  to  1915  the  squadrons  and  apparatus 
were  not  specialized,  and  were  used  without  distinction  for  recon- 
naissances, photographs,  and  bombing.  Since  then  there  have  ap- 
peared "artillery  squadrons"  for  the  adjustment  of  fire,  squadrons 
for  combat  and  chase,  and,  finally,  for  bombing.     (See  Chap.  IV.) 

AERONAUTICS. 

The  Zeppelin  predominates.  The  Schulte-Lanz  and  the  Parseval 
are  practically  abandoned. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ARMS  OF  THE  SERVICE— RECRUITIXG,  MOBILIZATION, 
CADRES,  INSTRUCTION,  ETC. 

INFANTRY. 

1.  The  regiment;  the.  battalion  of  clmsseurs;  the  machine-gun  units.^ 
A  mobilized  regiment  contains  usually  3  battalions  of  4  companies 
of  3  platoons  each.  Since  the  new  ruling  (1917)  on  "Instruction  of 
Foot  Troops,"  a  company  remains  at  3  platoons,  plus  an  infantry 
machine-gim  detachment  of  3  (and  later  6)  guns  (automatic  rifles). 
There  are  2C0  men  to  a  company,  and  3  machine-gun  companies 
(about  24  guns)  to  a  regiment.  There  is  also  a  granatenwerfer  (at 
least  12)  detachment,  and  a  detachment  of  3  sections  of  light  men- 
nenwerfer  (one  to  a  battalion)  to  a  regiment. 

A  battalion  had  at  the  beginning  20  officers  or  noncommissioned 
officers  on  duty — ^the  battalion  commander  (major),  the  adjutant,  4 
officers  (or  noncommissioned  officers  acting  as  such)  to  a  company, 
and  2  doctors.     Total  strength,  1,000  men. 

Each  battahon  had  a  telephonic  eqiiipment  of  1  officer  and  12 
men,  with  4  telephones  and  12  kilometers  of  wire.  The  material  was 
carried  by  the  men  (1  telephone  and  2  kilometers  (1.243  miles)  of 
wire  to  a  company)  and  by  the  combat  train  (4  kilometers  (2.486 
miles)  of  wire). 

The  combat  train  of  a  battalion  consisted  of  4  caissons  of  ammuni- 
tion, 4  rolling  kitchens,  and  1  medical  wagon. 

Each  battalion  has  its  flag.^  In  addition,  a  battalion  has  a  signal- 
werfer,  some  granatenwerfers,  and  a  platoon  of  light  regimental 
trench  mortars. 

The  active  nucleus  of  each  company  is  generally  4  officers,  18  to 
20  noncommissioned  officers,  and  150  men.  Each  company  has  5 
signalers  and  range  estimators. 

The  chasseurs  battahon  had  4  companies  (of  250  men),  plus  1 
cychst  company  (3  officers,  14  noncommissioned  officers,  100  men), 
and  1  machine-gun  company.  The  machine-gun  company  con- 
sisted of  3  or  4  platoons  of  2  guns  (with  1  duplicate)  to  a  company. 
Some  companies,  however,  of  9  guns  have  been  found. 

1  Orders  have  been  given  that  all  flags  should  bo  sent  back  to  Germany. 

9n 


26  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

The  machine  guns  are  carried  on  wagons.  The  platoon  has  2 
wagons  of  2  horses  for  the  transportation  of  machine  guns,  and  1 
caisson  of  ammunition.  The  gunners  are  on  foot.  They  carry  abou t 
13,500  cartridges  to  a  machine  gun. 

A  machine-gun  detachment  carries  its  gunners  on  a  wagon.  It 
comprises  6  machine  guns  on  wheels  and  3  caissons  of  ammunition. 
It  is  especially  for  the  piu-pose  of  being  attached  to  cavalry  organiza- 
tions. 

There  are  also  mobile  detachments  of  fortress  machine  guns  (same 
composition  as  machine-gun  companies). 

2.  The  mobilization  of  Infantry. — At  mobilization,  the  active 
nucleus  of  each  unit  was  brought  up  to  war  strength  by  the  arrival 
of  reservists.  The  reserve  units  were  formed  by  reserve  and  Land  - 
wehr  (first  battalion)  men  of  the  younger  classes.  Landwehr  units 
were  formed  by  the  older  classes  of  Landwehr  (first  battalion),  and 
by  men  of  the  second  battalion  of  the  Landwehr.  The  Landsturm 
units  were  selected  from  Landsturm  classes  (second  battalion). 
Infantry  units  have  been  supplied  with  men  during  the  campaign 
by  means  of  the  depots. 

Constitution  of  depots. — As  a  rule,  conforming  to  the  plan  of  mobil- 
ization, eveiy  infantry  regiment,  active,  reserve,  and  Landwehr, 
had  to  form  a  "Depot  battalion"  ^  (Ersatz  battalion).  There  were 
two  companies  in  the  chasseurs  battalions. 

At  this  point  the  active  regiments  may  be  classed  in  three  cate- 
gories: 

First.  Regiments  belonging  to  those  districts  which  formed  the 
regiments  of  the  series  300  (districts  near  the  German-Russian 
frontier).  These  regiments  have  only  one  depot  battalion,  which 
supplies  the  active  regiment  and  its  mobile  Ersatz  formation. 

Second.  Regiments  belonging  to  districts  which  formed  the 
regiments  of  the  series  200  (north,  central,  and  southern  region). 
These  regiments  have  two  depot  battalions,  one  of  which  is  shared 
with  a  regiment  of  fresh  formation.  (The  regiments  of  the  guard  and 
of  the  Xlllth  Region  have,  however,  only  one  depot  battalion.) 

Third.  Regiments  belonging  to  districts  which  have  created  no 
new  units  since  mobilization  (West — territory  of  small  extent).  All 
these  regiments  seem  to  have  two  depot  battalions. 

1  It  has  been  noticed  (Ersatz  formations)  that  the  depots  of  certain  active  regi- 
ments had  a  second  depot  battalion,  where  recruiting  resources  permitted.,  which 
was  usually  put  into  a  new  Ersatz  formation. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  AKHY.  27 

In  ihe  beginning  of  1917  the  steady  disappearance  of  second 
Ersatz  battalions  was  remarked,  as  a  result,  probably,  of  the  forma- 
tion of  new  divisions  231  to  251. 

The  men  assigned  to  these  depot  battalions  comprised — 

1.  Men  of  active  service  (the  malingerers  and  those  temporarily 
unfit  for  the  front) , 

2.  Reservists. 

3.  Landwehrians. 

4.  Ersatz  reservists,  recruits,  and  men  of  the  Landsturm. 

Men  of  this  fourth  category  are  not  directly  assigned  to  the  Ersatz 
battalion.  They  have  previously  received  instruction  in  the 
"Rekruten  depot,"  which  is  operated  alongside  of  each  Ersatz 
battalion,  the  latter  consisting  only  of  instructed  men.  It  now 
seemed  as  if  there  was  a  tendency  not  to  place  the  Rekruten  depot 
so  conveniently  near  the  Ersatz  battalion,  but  to  group  and  classify 
the  recruits  in  camps  (permanent  or  temporary),  from  which  they 
are  sent  directly  to  the  Felrekruten  depots  (see  below). 

As  a  rule  men  of  the  younger  classes  should  be  assigned  to  the 
depots  of  active  units. 

Newly  formed  reserve  regiments  do  not  usually  have  depots  and 
supply  themselves  from  the  depot  of  the  active  corps  which  has 
mobilized  them.     It  is  the  same  with  Ersatz  formations. 

Up  to  the  first  part  of  October,  1915,  the  Germans  seemed  able  to 
sustain  their  depots  at  a  fairly  constant  figure  (870,000  men  for  the 
whole  Empire).  As  a  result  of  losses  and  lack  of  fresh  resources  the 
effectives  of  the  depots  have  been  considerably  diminished.  As 
the  losses  suffered  by  the  different  army  corps  were  very  variable, 
they  were  obliged  to  attach  to  the  depot  of  one  district  men  from 
another  district,  and  to  send  to  certain  regiments  men  coming  from 
depots  of  another.  The  depots  of  certain  corps,  actives,  reserves, 
and  Landwehr,  were  even  consolidated  into  one.  But  at  the 
beginning  of  1917  the  influx  of  convalescent  men  again  swelled 
the  depots. 

It  has  been  seen  that  alongside  of  the  depot  battalion  there  was  a 
"  Rekruten  depot,"  charged  with  instructing  men  before  they  were 
sent  on  to  the  depot,  and  from  thence  to  the  front.  There  exists  still 
another  category  of  Rekruten  depot,  which  seems  to  have  been  created 
at  the  beginning  of  1915.  They  are  the  "depots  of  field  recruits" 
(Feldrekruten  depot),  established  back  of  the  front,  in  villages  or 
temporary  camps  near  the  units  they  have  to  supply.  They  borrow 
their  instruction  cadre  from  the  units  at  the  front. 


28  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

Usually  the  recruiting  depots  of  a  brigade,  division,  or  army  corps 
are  grouped  together,  and  the  depot  supplies  impartially  any  of  the 
organizations  of  these  large  units.  It  is  more  a  real  depot  than  a 
Rekruten  depot,  because  the  men  who  come  there  have  all  had  at 
least  two  or  three  weeks  of  instruction.  This  depot  of  recruits  has 
the  advantage  over  the  Ersatz  battalion  of  being  well  in  their  stride 
and  being  able  to  furnish  immediate  reinforcements  for  the  front. 
In  one  or  two  exceptional  cases  these  depots  have  been  used  at  the 
front  as  organized  units.  The  strength  of  the  Feldrekruten  depots 
is  naturally  variable,  owing  to  their  role  of  reservoir.  They  seem  to 
have  a  divisional  average  of  1  battalion  of  4  or  6  companies  of  200 
men.  They  usually  receive  tlieir  recruits  simultaneously  from  the 
depots  of  all  the  regiments  of  the  division.  This  is  done  periodi- 
cally and  on  a  single  transport  order.  Sometimes  the  F.  R.  D.  also 
receives  supplies  from  a  district  other  than  that  of  its  normal  recruit- 
ment. There  are  also  two  large  depots  of  recruits,  one  at  the  camp 
of  Beverloc  (Belgium)  for  the  western  front  and  the  other  at  Warsaw 
for  the  eastern  front. 

Utilization  of  different  classes. — In  Germany  each  class  is  designated 
by  the  date  of  the  birth  of  the  men  who  constitute  it  (and  not  by  that 
of  the  year  when  these  men  are  20  years  old,  as  in  France).  A  class 
has  at  a  maximum  600,000  men,  of  which  from  450,000  to  460,000  are 
good  for  service  (75  or  80  per  cent  of  the  total  strength). 

Calling  up  of  classes  in  Germany  presents  no  difficulties.  It  is 
regulated  in  each  State  and  in  each  district  by  special  instructions, 
which  take  into  account  proven  losses  (very  variable,  according  to 
the  different  army  corps),  the  availabilities  of  barracks,  the  local  or 
political  conditions  (Alsatians  and  Poles  are  called  out  promptly,  in 
contrast  to  the  tardy  calling  in  Berlin  and  certain  industrial  centers). 

In  every  district  classes  may  be  called  as  a  total  or  in  parts.  It  is 
therefore  difficult  to  state  precisely  the  date  of  incorporation  of  a 
class  whose  summoning  has  stretched  over  a  period  of  three  or  four 
months.  In  their  entirety,  however,  the  calls  have  corresponded 
with  a  general  plan  which  the  second  bureau  has  in  its  possession. 

The  majority  of  the  elements  of  the  different  classes  have  been 
classified  as  follows  (classes  given  in  French  system — year  on  which 
they  are  20): 

August  to  November,  1914:  Reservists  of  all  kinds,  having  already 
had  their  active  military  service,  and  most  of  the  volunteers. 

November-December,  1914:  The  incorporation  of  the  1914  class. 

August,  1914,  to  February,  1915:  Simultaneously  to  the  above 
summoning,  ail  the  Ersatz  reserve  was  incorporated. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  29 

January,  February,  March,  1915:  Uninstructed  Landsturm  from 
21  to  35  years  of  age. 

May,  June,  1915:  Incorporation  of  the  main  part  of  the  class  of 
1915. 

July  to  September,  1915:  Uninstructed  Landsturm  from  36  years 
up,  and  many  slackers  of  the  Landsturm  of  the  first  ban  on  reprieve, 
as  well  as  a  part  of  the  class  of  1895,  which  became  a  part  of  the  second 
ban  on  April  1,  1914, 

•September  to  November,  1915:  Incorporation  of  the  main  part  of 
the  class  of  1916. 

From  September,  1915:  Men  found  deficient  before  the  war,  and 
summoned  to  a  fresh  examination  (first  large  revision). 

December,  1915:  Incorporation  of  certain  specialists  of  the  1917 
class.     Census  of  the  1918  class. 

March,  April,  and  May,  then  July  and  August,  1916:  Incorpora- 
tion of  the  main  part  of  the  class  of  1917. 

From  September,  1916:  New  examination  of  all  the  deficient  not 
yet  incorporated  as  well  as  the  excused,  the  adjourned,  and  the  re- 
prieved cases. 

September,  October,  November,  1916:  Incorporation  of  the  main 
part  of  the  class  of  1918. 

April,  1917:  Inspection  of  the  1919  class. 

In  resume,  the  resources  of  the  depots  now  consist  of — 

(a)  Reexamined  men  (who  were  excused,  adjourned,  or  reprieved) . 

(6)  Remains  of  the  last  classes  (41  to  45  years  of  age)  of  Landsturm, 
83cond  battalion  uninstiiicted,  and  called  out  as  a  whole. 

(c)  Convalescents. 

id)  Volunteers  of  the  class  of  1919  and  a  certain  number  of  sum- 
moned specialists  cf  this  class,  analogous  to  preceding  classes. 

As  resources,  Germany  has  only  the  class  of  1919,  the  examination 
of  which,  in  certain  districts,  has  begun.  They  have  begun  to  in- 
scribe the  class  of  1920  in  the  Stammrollen  month  by  month  as  the 
boys  reach  the  required  17  years  of  age.  In  view  of  the  exhaustion 
of  these  resources,  a  wider  and  wider  summons  has  been  sent  to  men 
of  all  classes  previously  excused  (about  2,700,000  men).  These  have 
been  summoned  before  examining  boards,  who  have  classed  them 
in  four  categories: 

1.  Fit  for  active  service. 

2.  Fit  for  garrison  service. 

3.  Fit  for  workshops. 

4.  Definitely  excused. 


30  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

Summons  for  men  of  the  first  three  categories  have  been  sent  out 
in  certain  districts,  at  various  times,  according  to  the  needs  of  the 
corps  supplied  by  tliese  districts  and  with  no  regard  to  any  general 
rule.  Moreover,  the  category  of  men  maintained  on  reprieve  (about 
700,000)  has  been  reduced  by  summons.  It  seems  hardly  capable 
of  greater  reduction  if  great  inconvenience  is  to  be  avoided  in  the 
exercise  of  public  duties.  This  category  contained  about  580,000 
men  in  January,  1917. 

No  official  measure  seems  to  have  been  taken  to  prolong  the  term 
of  military  service  in  Germany  to  50  years  or  more.  This  prolonga- 
tion seems  to  have  been  under  consideration  since  the  month  of 
August,  1915.  In  any  case,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  Ger- 
mans know  how  to  twist  the  law  to  suit  their  convenience. 

Official  statistics  and  mortality  scales  show  the  number  of  men 
between  46  and  54  years  to  be  about  1,530,000,  of  which  780,000  have 
served  their  military  term,  and  the  remaining  720,000  were  never 
soldiers. 

Utilization  of  Landsturm. — It  is  learned  from  different  sources  that 
the  Landsturm  used  near  the  French  front  are  generally  composed 
of  men  of  Landsturm  first  battalion,  of  all  ages  and  of  indifferent 
quality,  and  include  only  a  small  number  of  men  from  Landsturm 
second  battalion,  instructed. 

These  latter  formed  at  the  beginning  the  entire  first  formations  of 
Landsturm,  and  the  older  contingents  which  they  represent  (one- 
half  the  class  of  1869  and  succeeding  classes  to  1875,  inclusive)  still 
suffice  to  form  the  greater  part  of  existing  Landsturm  formations.  If 
they  have  been  replaced  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  French  front  by 
very  mediocre  men  of  Landsturm  first  battalion,  it  is  because  they 
have  received  other  special  assignments. 

It  is  probable  that  in  Landsturm  second  battalion,  instructed — 

(a)  The  youngest  and  most  apt  have  formed  the  Laildsturm  units, 
now  considerable  in  number,  on  the  eastern  front  about  100  bat- 
talions. 

(6)  They  have  furnished  an  important  part  of  the  noncommissioned 
officers  for  actual  Landsturm  formations  composed  of  inferior  men  of 
Landsturm  first  battalion  of  less  military  instruction  than  themselves. 

(c)  The  oldest  have  been,  on  account  of  their  age,  used  only  for 
Landsturm  formations  of  the  interior,  garrisons  of  invaded  territory, 
and,  possibly,  as  guards  for  communications  and  prisoners,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  these  latter  services  seem  to  be  reserved  more  for  the 
weak  members  of  Landsturm  first  battalion. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  31 

(d)  As  a  result  of  a  mistake  (reported  by  the  press)  in  the  carrying 
out  of  an  order  from  the  minister  of  war,  a  certain  nmnber  of  the 
oldest  men  of  Landsturm  were  sent  back  to  their  homes;  but  this 
happened  only  with  small  numbers  and  in  few  districts.  They  have, 
no  doubt,  already  reappeared  or  will  be  called  at  the  next  exami- 
nations. 

(e)  Finally,  a  certain  number  of  men  of  Landsturm  second  bat- 
talion, instructed,  have  been  assigned,  after  reexamination,  to  Land- 
wehr  formations,  active  or  reserve,  where  they  are  employed  in 
convoys,  combat  trains,  and  in  general  work  behind  the  front. 
They  are  therefore  rarely  found  among  prisoners. 

CADRES  (OFFICERS). 

Normally,  cadres  are  procured  in  one  of  the  following  ways: 
A.  Active. — 1.  About  one-third  of  the  officers  come  from  the  cadet 
corps,  a  member  of  which,  on  Iea\dng  the  "Oberskunda"  at  17  and 
passing  the  "Fahnrich"  examination,  is  eligible  for  admission  to  a 
"  Kriogsschul "  after  seven  months  of  service. 

2.  About  two-thirds  of  the  officers  come  from  Fahnenjunker.  To 
be  eligble  under  this  status  for  admission  to  a  regiment,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  fulfil  certain  conditions  of  age  (17  to  21  years),  physical 
aptitude,  education,  income,  and  general  proficiency.  On  having 
certificates  stating  that  these  conditions  have  been  complied  with, 
the  corps  commander  announces  the  acceptance  of  the  candidate  as 
a  Fahnenjunker  at  the  first  vacancy  after  having  had  6  or  8  months 
service  with  troops  as  Gemeine,  Gofreite,  Fahnrich  (after  examina- 
tionX-  the  Fahnenjunker  enters  a  Kriegsschule  where  Fahnenjunker 
and  cadres  are  cast  in  the  same  mold. 

3.  Some  reserve  officers  specially  authorized  by  the  Emperor  and 
possessing  certain  diplomas,  may.  after  a  fairly  long  period  of  in- 
struction in  a  regiment  but  without  passing  through  a  Kriegsschule, 
undergo  the  examination  for  officers,  and  they  receive  their  com- 
mission after  a  favorable  vote  of  the  officers  of  their  regiment. 

4.  In  very  rare  cases  noncommissioned  officers  who  have  dis- 
tingiiished  themselves  in  action  can  be  made  officers  mthout  ex- 
amination, prov-"ded  they  have  already  reached  the  grade  of  "Feld- 
webel"  or  ''Vizefeldwebel'"  (''Wachtmeister"  or  " Vizewachtmeis- 
ter"). 

At  the  end  of  the  war  schools'  (Kriegsschule)  course,  the  cadets 
and  Fahnenjunker  undergo  the  examination  for  officers.  If  they 
pass,  they  return  to  their  regiment  to  wait  for  the  first  lieutenancy 


32  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

vacant,  and  they  receive  their  commissions,  signed  by  the  Emperor, 
after  the  officers  vote  on  them. 

The  professional  and  teclmical  instruction  of  the  young  officers 
is  then  pursued  in  special  schools  of  arms,  Spandau  (infantry),  lian- 
ovre  (cavalry),  Juterbog  (artillery). 

A  certain  number  of  officers,  carefully  selected,  are  sent  later  to 
tlie  Kriegsakadamie. 

B.  Beurlaubtenslaud,  Officers  of  Reserve  and  Landwchr. — These 
officers  were  drawn  from  either  old  active  officers,  unemployed,  or 
from  volunteers  of  one  year's  service.  The  latter,  after  having 
passed  a  theoretical  and  practical  examination  in  the  course  of  their 
year  of  service,  were  named  ''candidate  officers,"  In  the  course 
of  the  two  years  which  followed  they  had  to  complete  two  period? 
of  instruction  of  eight  weeks  each,  after  v/hich  they  were  proposed 
by  the  corps  commander  for  commissions  as  officers  of  the  reserve, 
and  could  be  assigned  after  the  vote  of  the  reserve  officers'  ccrps  of 
the  district. 

C.  Nominations  during  the  campaign. — On  studying  different  docu- 
ments relating  to  the  recruiting  of  officers  during  the  campaign,  it  is 
found  that  the  Germans  tried  to  preserve  the  character  of  caste  in 
their  officers'  corps,  accepting  only  the  same  kind  of  individuals  as 
in  normal  times.  Active  officers  therefore  were  recruited  from 
among  the  officer-candidates  of  peace  times,  and  from  among  the 
volunteer  soldiers  of  the  higher  social  classes  which  h:.ve  been  fur- 
nished in  abundance  by  the  classes  of  1914,  1915,  and  19.1  G  since  the 
beginning  of  the  war. 

However,  concerning  the  Fahnenjunker,  a  cabinet  order  of 
August  24,  1916,  slightly  modified  that  of  September  19,1914,  regu- 
lating the  question  of  advancement  for  the  duration  of  mobilization: 

"The  acceptance  of  Fahnenjunker  in  infantry,  cavalry,  field  and 
foot  artillery,  and  engineers  will  be  decided  upon  only  by  the  com- 
manders of  active  troops  qualified  to  do  it.  The  request  for  admis- 
sion should  be  addressed  to  the  depot  which  examines  the  applicant. 
This  depot  adds  its  opinion  and  forwards  the  application  to  the 
commander  of  the  mobilized  unit,  who  makes  the  final  decision. 
The  nomination  of  Fahnenjunker  in  the  field  artillery  continues 
to  be  subject  to  my  decision." 

To  fill  the  numerous  gaps  in  the  ranks  of  active  officers,  recourse 
had  to  be  had  to  other  classes  of  persons.  But,  as  it  was  not  desired 
to  retain  them  as  officers  after  the  war,  those  coming  from  social 
classes  from  which  reserve  officers  would  be  recruited  in  peace  times 
were  commissioned  reserve  officers. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  33 

At  length  recourse  was  had  to  nominations  of  Feldwebelleutnants 
and  Offizierstellvertreter  (the  latter  are  not  officers),  who  are  chosen 
wherever  possible  from  men  who  will  no  longer  belong  to  the  active 
army  after  the  war.  Thus  active  noncommissioned  officers  can  not 
be  named  Feldwebelloutnants  (grade  conferred  by  the  Emperor), 
but  only  Offizierstellvertreter  (a  nomination  revocable  when  the 
need  is  no  longer  felt,  and  made  by  the  regiment  commander). 

According  to  the  old  cabinet  order  of  November  15,  1877,  the 
grade  of  Feldwebellentrant  could  only  be  bestowed  in  war  times 
in  depot,  garrison,  and  Landwehr  troops.  But  it  has  had  to  be  be- 
stowed on  active  troops  in  this  war,  and  they  even  have  had  to  assign 
to  active  troops  all  men  in  the  above-named  formations  who  were 
eligible  for  active  service.  In  this  way,  once  hostilities  cease, 
Feldwebelleutnants  and  Offizierstellvertreter  will  automatically  dis- 
appear from  the  active  officers. 

The  cabinet  order  of  September  19,1914,  regulated  in  a  general 
way,  for  the  duration  of  the  war,  the  method  of  recruiting  reserve 
and  Landwehr  officers.    These  officers  are  recruited — 

1.  From  the  old  officer  candidates  of  peace  times  who  had  attained 
the  grade  of  ensign,  feldwebel,  or  vize  webel  (Wachtmeister  or 
Vizewachtmeister) . 

2.  From  the  volunteers  of  one  year's  service  who  were  with  the 
colors  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  from  volunteers  enlisted  for  the 
duration  of  the  war,  and  from  enlisted  men  enrolled  since  the  out- 
break of  the  war  who  had  certificates  of  fitness  equal  to  a  one-year 
volunteer. 

(Note. — These  candidates  are  nominated  at  their  request  by  the 
regiment  commander  (there  are  2  to  10  to  a  regiment),  and  usually 
after  five  months  of  service,  to  take  the  course  of  candidate  officers, 
which  is  the  same  for  active  and  reserve.  There  are  courses  of 
instruction  at  the  camps  of  Munster  (Xth),  Lenne  (Vllth),  Loch- 
stedt  (IXth),  Warthe  (Vth),  Doeritz  (Hid),  Gd  Moyeuore  (Briey), 
and  Beverloo.  After  these  courses  the  candidate  receives  the  grade 
of  unteroffizier,  vice  Feldwebel,  or  Feldwebel.  He  fulfills  the 
functions  of  a  noncommissioned  officer  if  he  is  unteroffizier.  If  he 
is  vize-Feldwebel  or  Feldwebel  he  can  fulfill  the  duties  of  officer. 
After  a  certain  time  and  a  fresh  examination  (offizier-pruflung)  he 
can  be  named  officer.) 

3.  From  the  noncommissioned  officers  and  men  of  reserve  and 
Landwehr  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  action,  provided 


34  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

they  are  already  Feldwebel,Vize-f eld webel,  Wachtmeister,  or  Vize- 
Wachtmeister. 

All  these  nominations  can  be  made  only  after  a  vote  by  the  corps 
of  officers  concerned,  and  after  very  serious  investigations  as  to  the 
morality  of  the  candidate  as  well  as  that  of  his  family. 

According  to  a  recent  number  of  the  army  "  Verorduungsblatt " 
(September,  1916)  supernumerary  officers  may  be  named  after 
receiving  the  instruction  ad  hoc. 

(a)  Landsturm,  first  and  second  battalion,  fit  for  field  service  and 
having  the  certificate  of  Einjahrige. 

(6)  Candidate  officers  and  sword-bearing  noncommissioned  officers 
of  Landsturm,  who,  before  or  after  their  liberation  from  active 
service,  have  acquired  the  certificate  of  fitness  for  the  grade  of 
officer,  or  those  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  action. 

(c)  Feldwebelleutnants  of  Landsturm,  fulfilling  conditions  similar 
to  those  demanded  of  men,  and  whose  social  position  would  be  no 
discredit  to  the  officer  corps. 

The  instruction  of  officer  candidates  (active  or  reserve)  begins  in 
the  corps  and  is  completed  in  instruction  schools,  sometimes  placed 
back  of  the  front,  sometimes  in  Germany  (especially  in  the  large 
camps).    The  length  of  the  course  seems  to  be  about  5  or  6  weeks. 

Regulations  relative  to  this  instruction  vary  in  different  army 
corps,  but  the  general  rule  seems  to  be  that  the  volunteer  oflficer 
candidate  can  not  take  his  officer  examinations  until  he  has  had 
eight  months  of  service. 

(Note. — To  remedy  the  lack  of  oflicers  in  the  infantry,  Germany 
early  called  on  officers  of  other  arms  of  the  service,  and,  since  March, 
1915,  several  units  of  infantry  have  been  commanded  by  artillery 
or  cavalry  officers.) 

CADRES  (NONCOMMISSIONED  OFFICERS). 

One  of  principal  factors  of  strength  in  the  German  Army  at  the 
beginning  of  the  war  was  her  remarkable  cadre  of  good  regular 
noncommissioned  officers  (about  110,000). 

Recruiting  of  noncommissioned  officers  was  carried  out  in  the 
following  way: 

1.  By  the  noncommissioned  officer  schools,  where  one  could  enter 
at  17.  After  two  years  of  study  the  boy  was  sent  to  the  troops 
with  the  grade  of  noncommissioned  officer  (they  were  preparatory 
schools  for  the  noncommissioned  officer  schools). 

2.  By  reenlistment  soldiers  reenlisting  while  serving  with 
troops  could  be  named  noncommissioned  officers. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  35 

A  certain  number  of  non commissioned  officer  schools  continue  to 
operate,  especially  back  of  the  front,  where  noncommissioned  otiicer 
courses  have  been  instituted,  usually  one  to  a  division  or  one  to  an 
army  corps. 

According  to  the  Zeitung  Hagen  of  June  16,  1916: 

For  1916-17.  Autumn,  1916 — Six  schools:  lena,  Bortenstein, 
Wiilburg,  Beberich,  Wohlan,  MoUeu.  Spring,  1917 — Five  schools: 
Annaburg,  Sigmaringen,  Greifenberg,  Frankenstein,  Jena. 

Classificalion  of  grades. — See  ''What  we  should  know  about  the 
German  Army."    Twenty-second  edition,  pages  25,  26,  and  27. 

ARTILLERY. 

The  general  distribution  of  the  artillery  in  the  large  units  has 
alrieady  been  Indicated  in  the  course  of  this  booklet.  It  is  to  be 
recalled  that  the  artillery  of  an  army  corps  comprises  as  a  rule — 

1.  Light  field  artillerj--  of  di^dsions,  that  is,  to  a  division  3  bat- 
talions of  3  batteries  of  4  guns  of  77  caliber,  and  1  battalion  of  light 
105  ho.Titzers  (except  modifications  as  a  result  of  new  formations). 

2.  Heavy  artillery  of  army  corps,  distributed  usually  among  the 
di^  lions. 

3.  Contingently,  heavy  artillery  attached  to  armies,  variable  in 
quantity  and  comprising  batteries  of  field  mortars  of  4  mortars  of 
210  mm.  ("15"  cannon  on  protected  carriage,  etc.  (See  further 
siege,  garrison,  and  coast  artillery). 

For  detailed  information  on  material  and  range  tables,  apply  lo 
Collector  of  Intelligence  and  Numerical  Data.  Concerning  mate- 
rials used  by  the  Gennan  Army,  see  S.  T.  A.,  February,  1915,  or 
"Notes  on  German  Fuses"  of  November,  1915,  from  the  British 
staff,  or  "What  we  should  know  about  the  German  Army"  (twenty- 
second  edition),  pages  32,  33,  34. 

The  armies  still  have,  for  special  purposes,  guns  of  380  and  howit- 
zers of  420. 

I.  Field  artillery — Its  mobilization. — The  German  field  artillery, 
which  had  in  peace  times  642  batteries,  has  put  in  the  field  more 
than  2.000  batteries,  which  means  about  9,000  guns.  The  proportion 
ot  light  10  X  5  howitzers  seems  to  be  at  least"  25  per  cent. 

The  mobilization  of  artillery  was  effected  on  the  whole  like  that 
of  infantry  units,  though  reserve  and  Landwehr  units  have  no  depot 
of  their  own. 

The  mobilized  German  field  artillery  comprises — 

1.  Artillery  of  active  corps  (active  regiments  of  6  batteries  of  4 
guns). 


36  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

2.  Artillery  of  cavalry  divisions  (11  mounted  battalions  of  3 
batteries  of  four  guns). 

3.  Artillery  of  reserve  corps  of  old  formation  (32  reserve  regiments 
of  6,  7,  or  8  batteries  of  6  or  4  guns).  The  artillery  of  these  corps  was 
in  process  of  augmentation,  and  it  seemed  probable  they  would  get 
the  same  com.plement  as  the  army  corps  (2  regiments  to  a  di\dsion); 
but  on  account  of  the  formations  at  the  beginning  of  1917  this  increase 
seems  to  have  been  arrested. 

4.  The  artillery  of  reserve  corps  No.  XXII  to  XXVII  and  the 
Sixth  Bavarian  Reserve  Division  (October  series).  Thirteen  regi- 
ments of  reserve  of  y  batteries  of  4  guns. 

5.  Artillery  of  reserve  corps  No.  XXXVIII  to  XLI  (January 
series),  and  the  Eighth  Bavarian  Reserve  Division.  Eighteen  regi- 
ments of  6  batteries  of  4  guns  (i.  e.,  same  equipment  as  active  army 
corps). 

6.  Artillery  of  new  divisions  (series  50,  and  Tenth  Bavarian  Divi- 
sion). Twelve  regiments  of  6  batteries  of  4  guns  (same  as  active 
A.  C). 

7.  Artillery  of  new  divisions  (series  100,  and  the  Eleventh  Bava- 
rian Division).  Fourteen  regiments  of  7,  8,  or  9  batteries  of  4  guns. 
These  regiments  have  batteries  of  light  howitzers.  The  increase  of 
their  artillery  seems  to  be  continued,  in  order  to  equip  them  like 
active  divisions.  Artillery  regiments  of  divisions  of  the  series  50 
and  100  have  been  formed  with  elements  taken  from  existing  units. 
Their  formation  coincides  with  the  reduction  to  4  guns  of  a  large 
number  of  active  batteries.  The  artillery  of  brigades,  later  then 
divisions  of  the  series  183  (1  battalion  of  3  batteries  of  4  gims  to  a 
brigade)  was  formed  iu  the  same  way.  This  artillery  was  brought 
up  to  2  battalions  (and  even  to  2  regiments  in  two  instances),  when 
the  brigades  became  divisions.  It  seems  that  the  new  divisions  of 
the  series  200  were,  at  the  beginning,  provided  only  with  1  regiment 
of  2  battalions  of  3  batteries  of  4  guns. 

8.  The  artillery  of  new  divisions  (series  195  to  227).  These  divi- 
sions seem  to  be  provided  either  with  1  brigade  of  2  regiments  of 
2  battalions  of  3  batteries,  like  the  divisions  of  the  series  50,  or  with 
a  regiment  of  8  or  9  batteries,  like  those  of  the  series  100.  Artillery 
units  were  new  formations.  Some  of  the  men,  nevertheless,  may 
have  been  taken  from  batteries  at  the  front. 

9.  The  artillery  of  divisions  of  the  series  231  and  251.  This  artil- 
lery seems  to  have  been  formed  partly  by  selection  of  a  battalion 
from  the  divisional  artillery  of  certain  active  divisions  which  had 
12  batteries  and  partly  with  new  materiel.    It  is  possible  that  if 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  37 

production  allows,  the  active  artillery  divisions  will  be  made  up  to 
12  batteries  again.  The  reduction  to  3  battalions  corresponds  pro- 
portionately to  the  reduction  from  4  to  3  regiments  of  infantry  in 
each  di\nLsion. 

10.  Mountain  artillery.  At  least  18  batteries  of  4  guns  of  mountain 
artillery  seem  to  have  been  formed,  principally  by  Bavarian  and 
Wurttemberger  contingents.  There  exists  at  least  one  platoon  of 
mountain  howitzers. 

11.  Infantry  batteries  of  revolving  cannon;  assaulting  batteries. 
There  are  a  certain  number  of  organizations,  usually  of  37  caliber, 
called  by  different  names  (Nahkampfgeschutz,  Grabenkanone,  in- 
fantry battery,  revolver-kanone) .  An  official  document  of  August  4 , 
19 IG,  shows  that  at  that  time  there  existed  9  infantry  batteries  armed 
with  Russian  guns  of  7.62  cm.  There  will  be  also  newly  formed 
assaulting  batteries,  supplied  with  a  77  light  model  gun  for  rapid 
fire.  The  guns  will  be  dragged  by  2  horses,  and  the  gunners  will 
be  on  foot. 

12.  Platoons  of  antiballoon  guns  (range  4,200).  The  number  of 
platoons  of  antiballoon  or  an  tiaircraf t  guns  have  noticeably  increased . 
There  are  about  180  platoons  (that  is  about  1  to  a  division  plus  several 
extra  companies  and  even  some  battalions),  in  all,  about  130  bat- 
teries. The  materiel  of  these  platoons  consists  of  guns  of  50  mm., 
65  mm.,  71  mm.,  77  mm.,  9  and  10  cm.,  some  75  (which  will  be  drilled 
to  77)  and  transformed  Kussian  guns.  There  are  also  automatic  guns 
of  25  mm.,  able  to  fire  200  projectiles  a  minute. 

13.  The  artillery  of  Ersatz,  Landwehr,  or  Landsturm  organiza- 
tions. About  136  Ersatz  battalions  of  2  batteries  (of  6  or  4  guns) ; 
about  25  or  30  Landwehr  battalions  of  2  batteries  (of  4  or  6  guns) ; 
about  25  or  30  Landsturm  battalions  of  2  batteries  (of  4  or  6  guns). 
These  batteries  were  formed  in  the  following  manner:  Each  active 
regiment  formed  1  Ersatii  battalion  of  2  batteries.^  One  of  these 
batteries  was  armed  with  howitzers  if  the  regiment  had  a  battalion 
of  howitzers.  Regiments  whose  resources  were  sufficient  formed  a 
second  Ersatz  battalion^  Each  army  corps  mobilized,  usually, 
(a)  1  battalion  of  Lai^dwehr  of  2  batteries,  (6)  1  or  2  batteries  of 
Landsturm.  These  units  were  intended  to  form  the  artillery  of  the 
Landwehr  and  Landsturm  units.  Divisions  of  Ersatz  and  Landwehr 
have  a  regiment  and  a  brigade  of  2  regiments  respectively. 

14.  Independent  batteries  of  the  series  200.  The  depots  have 
begun  to  organize  new  batteries,  numbered  onward  from  800.     The 

lAs  in  the  infantry  this  does  not  concern  regimental  depct  batteries  (Ersatz 
batteries),  but  a  mobile  organization  formed  with  surplus. 


38  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

highest  number  so  far  determined  is  915.  These  units  seem  to  remain 
independent,  and  are  assigned  according  to  the  needs  of  different 
units. 

//.  Foot  artillery — Its  mobilization. — Foot  artillery  comprised,  in 
peace  times,  25  regiments  of  2  battalions  of  4  batteries  each,  plus 
1  battalion'  formed  in  1914,  a  total  of  51  battalions.  These  51 
battalions  formed  at  the  mobilization — 

First.  Heavy  field  artillery. 

(a)  The  heavy  field  artillery  of  the  active  army  corps. — Twenty-five 
battalions,  15-centimeter  howitzers  (S.  F.  H.)  (Schwere  Field  Han- 
bitze),  of  4  batteries  of  4  pieces. 

(&)  The  mortar  battalions  of  the  army. — Eight  or  nine  21-cm.  mortar 
battalions  became,  by  the  redivision,  16  to  18  battalions  of  2  bat- 
teries of  4  pieces.  Some  of  these  battalions  have  been  grouped 
into  regiments.  The  mortar  battalions  are  now  nearly  all  attached 
to  army  corps. 

(c)  Heavy  siege  artillery  and  garrison  artillery.' — Thirteen  or 
fourteen  battalions  of  4  batteries  of  4  pieces  (howitzers  of  15,  guns 
of  10,  of  12,  of  13,  and  of  15,  mortars  of  21  cm.  and  of  28).  Some 
are  horse  drawn,  and  others  not  horse  drawn  are  generally  garrison 
batteries.     Nearly  all  of  these  are  now  at  the  front. 

{d)  Seacoast  artillery. — Four  battalions  of  4  batteries  of  4  pieces 
(guns  of  10,  12,  13,  15,  and  21;  howitzers  of  15;  mortars  of  21,  28,  and 
30.5  cm.  At  present  these  battalions  are  provided  with  tractors, 
etc.,  and  are  now  generally  used  at  the  front. 

(e)  Various  elements  created  during  the  course  of  the  war,  sup- 
plied with  garrison,  seacoast,  or  marine  materiel,  or  new  materiel,  and 
forming  a  heavy  high-power  artillery.  Regiment  of  mobile  heavy 
artillery  of  the  marine  corps,  8  batteries;  batteries  of  heavy  seacoast 
mortars,  10  batteries;  batteries  of  marine  howitzers,  10  batteries; 
13  armored  trains,  equivalent  to  13  batteries;  batteries  of  15-cm. 
guns,  13  batteries  (at  least);  guns  of  21,  marine  or  new  (?);  guns  of 
240,  marine(?) ;  Austrian  mortars  of  30.3(?) ;  mortars  of  420  and  540(?) ; 
gunsof  380(?). 

Reserve  regiments  and  additional  batteries. — As  a  rule  each  active 
regiment  has  mobilized  a  reserve  regiment  of  2  battalions  of  4  bat- 
teries of  4  guns.  This  number  has  been  gradually  increased  in  a 
certain  number  of  regiments  up  to  9  to  14  batteries.  Armament: 
Howitzers  of  15;  guns  of  9,  10,  12,  13,  15,  and  21;  mortars  of  28.  A 
part  of  these  battalions  form  the  heavy  artillery  of  the  reserve 
corps  (old  organization);  the  others  are  assigned  to  the  garrison 
and  seacoast  artillery,  but  nearly  all  of  them  are  now  at  the  front. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  39 

In  addition,  certain  regiments  have  been  able  to  mobilize  addi- 
tional batteries,  which  were  originally  intended  for  garrisons. 
Some  of  these  are  now  at  the  front.  In  October  and  December, 
1914,  11  battalions,  of  3  or  4  companies  each,  were  formed  to  furnish 
the  heavy  artillery  for  the  newly-created  corps.  Six  other  battalions 
of  reserves  were  formed  with  the  object  in  view.  The  date  of 
organization  of  the  latter  is  unknown. 

Ersatz  battalions  and  batteries. — Each  active  regiment  mobilized 
a  certain  number  of  Ersatz  batteries  (4  or  8),  grouped,  according  tc 
their  number,  in  one  or  two  battalions.  A  certain  number  of  these 
batteries,  horse  drawn,  are  on  the  front,  and  they,  with  the  reserve 
battalions,  enter  into  the  composition  of  heavy  artillery  of  reserve 
corps  (series  of  October  and  January). 

Larodwehr  regiments  and  battalions. — Each  regiment  has  formed 
either  a  battalion  of  Landwehr  of  4  batteries  or  a  regiment  of  2  bat- 
talions or  4  batteries.  A  certain  number  of  these  batteries  are 
attached  to  reserve  Ersatz  or  Landwehr  units  on  the  front.  Arma- 
ment: Pieces  of  all  calibers. 

Landstum  batteries. — A  certain  number  of  army  corps  have 
mobilized  battalions  of  Landsturm  foot  artillery,  which  bear  the 
number  of  the  mobilizing  army  corps.  Some  of  these  batteries  are 
on  the  front. 

(/)  Batteries  of  the  series  200. — Since  May,  1915,  at  which  time  the 
foot  artillery  seemed  to  have  mobilized  835  old  batteries  and  about 
136  new  ones  for  corps  formed  in  the  course  of  the  campaign,  a  cer- 
tain number  of  new  batteries  have  been  noticed,  whose  numbers  run 
from  201  to  800. 

These  batteries,  which  were  called  at  first  after  the  materiel  used 
(Merger  Battery,  Schwere  Feld  Houbitz  Battery,  Fuss  Artillery 
Battery),  now  bear  the  general  title  of  Fuss  Artillery  Battery,  and 
are  usually  batteries  of  position.  Their  effective  is  2  officers,  110 
to  120  men,  and  4  guns.  They  were  selected  from  Ersatz  (depot) 
batteries,  nonmobile,  and,  for  the  most  part,  they  do  not  seem  to  be 
horse  drawn.  Since  August,  1916,  a  certain  number  of  these  bat- 
teries have  been  provided  with  modern  materiel  and  horses,  and 
have  been  entered  into  the  composition  of  horse-drawn  battalions 
(of  3  batteries),  numbered  upward  from  40  (the  highest  figure  found 
so  far  is  98).  The  existence  has  also  been  remarked  of  a  certain 
number  of  battalions  numbered  upward  from  201,  and  into  whose 
composition  enter  batteries  of  position.  These  battalions  do  not 
seem  to  be  horse  drawn. 


40  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

To  sum  up,  the  German  foot  artillery  seems,  at  the  end  of  1916,  to 
comprise  approximately  1,580  heavy  batteries,  against  2,000  bat- 
teries of  field  artillery;  that  is  a  proportion  of  75  per  cent  of  the 
heavy.  ^ 

The  Germans  have  preserved,  for  the  entirety  of  their  mobile 
batteries  (heavy  artillery  of  divisions,  A.  C.'s.,  armies,  and  siege 
and  garrison  heavy  artillery)  the  proportions  of  peace  times,  i.  e. — 
53  per  cent  15-cm.  howitzers;  20  per  cent  mortars  of  21  cm.  and 
above;  27  per  cent  guns,  which  makes  73  per  cent  of  mortars  and 
howitzers  and  27  per  cent  of  guns. 

The  artillery  of  position  and  high-power  artillery  seem  to  be  pro- 
vided in  equal  portions  with  guns  and  howitzers, 

PIONEERS, 

In  peace  times  the  corps  of  pioneers  is  formed  of  26  battalions  of 
pioneers  of  4  companies,  9  fortress  battalions  of  4  companies;  total, 
35  battalions;  that  is  to  say,  140  companies.  (674  companies,  plus 
60  Ersatz  companies  have  been  mobilized.) 

The  mobilization  of  the  pioneer  corps  was  effected  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: 

(A)  As  a  rule,  the  26  battalions  have  each  formed  2  battalions 
called — 

First.  Battalion  of  Pioneers  Xo.  — ,  comprises  the  3  first  companies 
of  the  battalion  in  peace  times,  and  assigned  to  the  active  army 
corps. 

Second.  Battalion  of  Pioneers  No.  — ,  comprises  the  fourth  active 
company,  2  reserA'^e  companies  (Nos.  1  and  2),  and  generally  assigned 
to  a  reserve  army  corps. 

The  greater  part  of  the  battalions  also  formed,  in  1915,  a  field  com- 
pany. No,  5,  formed  by  men  selected  from  the  existing  companies 
and  brought  to  full  strength  by  selections  from  the  infantry  regi- 
ments. These  fifth  companies,  as  a  rule,  are  assigned  to  the  first 
battalion.  Later,  a  sixth  company  was  formed  and  nearly  always 
assigned  to  the  second  battalion.  Some  of  the  battalions  mobilized 
a  third  battalion.  Some  others  formed  4  reserve  companies  instead 
of  2.  One  or  two  recruiting  depots  are  attached  to  each  active 
battalion,  and  they  also  serve  the  Landwehr  organizations.  Total : 
56  field  battalions,  comprising  about  224  companies  (active  and 
reserve) . 

1  On  May  1,  1917,  these  figures  stem  to  be:  1,700  heavy  batteries  of  7,200  pieces, 
and  2,200  batteries  of  field  artillery. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  41 

(B)  The  9  fortress  battalions  formed  each  a  regiment  of  2  battalions 
and  1  siege  train.  The  first  battalion  includes  the  first  and  second 
active  companies  and  the  first  reserve  company.  The  second 
battalion  the  third  and  fourth  active  companies  and  the  third  reserve 
company.  The  siege  train  is  formed  of  2  park  companies  and  a 
train  column.  A  certain  number  of  regiments  mobilized  additional 
field  companies.  All  these  units,  organized  in  battalions  and  com- 
panies, are  now  at  the  front.  Total:  Nine  regiments,  consisting  of 
about  68  companies. 

(C)  Detachments  of  pioneers  of  the  cavalry  divisions. — One  detach- 
ment (active  organization)  per  division  (11). 

(D)  Bridgs  equipages. — There  has  been  mobilized:  One  divisional 
bridge  train  for  each  division,  able  to  construct  a  footbridge  of  60 
meters  (65.618  yards),  or  a  bridge  of  35  meters  (38.277  yards),  or  a 
reinforced  bridge  of  20  meters  (21.873  yards);  one  bridge  train  for 
each  army  corps,  able  to  construct  a  footbridge  of  150  meters  (164.045 
yards),  or  a  bridge  of  120  meters  (131.263  yards),  or  a  reinforced 
bridge  of  75  meters  (82.022  yards);  one  heavy  bridge  train  of  the 
Rhine,  with  materiel  sufficient  to  construct  200  meters  (218.726 
yards)  of  bridge  for  each  army  corps. 

(E)  Ersatz  organizations. — Each  field  battalion  has  mobilized  an 
Ersatz  battalion  (four  to  eight  companies)  of  the  same  number,  one 
company  of  which  is  assigned  to  a  Ersatz  or  I^andwehr  organization. 
As  a  rule,  garrison  regiments  have  three  Ersatz  companies,  which 
form  part  of  the  regiment.    Total:  About  160  Ersatz  companies. 

(F)  Landwehr  organizations. — In  each  army  corps  there  are  mobile 
companies  (one  or  two)  of  Landwehr  (for  the  reserve,  Ersatz  or  Land- 
wehr organizations),  and  companies  (one  or  two)  of  immobile  Land- 
wehr, intended  for  the  garrisons,  but  now  at  the  front.  Total: 
About  66  companies, 

(G)  Organizations  of  the  Landsturm. — Each  army  corps  has  mobil- 
ized a  certain  number  of  companies  of  Landsturm,  assigned  to  field 
units  or  to  garrisons.    Total:  About  87  companies. 

(H)  Organizations  created  during  the  campaign. — • 

(1)  Thirty-first  Regiment,  formed  by  the  battalions  11/G  and 
11/28. 

(2)  Regiments  35  and  36,  of  6  companies  each,  using  asphyxiating 
gas. 

(3)  Reserve  regiment  of  guard  pioneers,  of  11  or  12  companies, 
using  flame  throwers. 

(4)  Battalions  32,  33,  34  (of  three  companies).  Various  assign- 
ments. 


42  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

(5)  Reserve  companies  43  to  54,  and  75  to  86,  of  the  reserve  di- 
visions of  the  same  number  (one  for  each  division). 

(6)  Reserve  companies  87  to  92,  and  16  to  22,  Bavarian.  Various 
assignments. 

(7)  Companies  99  to  116,  of  the  divisions  50  to  58  (two  for  each 
division). 

(8)  Companies  183,  185,  187,  192,  of  the  divisions  of  the  same  niim- 
ber  (one  for  each  division). 

(9)  Companies  201,  205,  209,  to  245,  of  the  divisions  101  to  123  (one 
for  each  division). 

(10)  Companies  246  to  291.  Various  assignments.  A  certain  num- 
ber are  called  garrison  companies. 

(11)  Miner  companies,  292  to  344,  and  First  to  Eighth  Bavarian 
Companies.    Various  assignments. 

(12)  Companies  401  to  404,  of  the  divisions  201  to  204. 

(13)  Marine  companies  (three  marine  pioneer  companies).  (See 
battalion  pioneer  companies.) 

Total:  About  229  companies. 

There  existed  also  an  assault  battalion  (strumbattalion) ,  formed 
of  four  companies  of  pioneers,  two  of  gunners,  and  one  of  flame 
throwers,  used  on  the  eastern  front.  (?) 

To  sum  up,  there  now  exist  the  equivalent  of  three  companies  of 
engineers  for  each  infantry  division  (not  including  the  160  com- 
panies of  Ersatz) .  Two  companies  are  usually  assigned  to  a  division : 
the  other  army  units  of  pioneers  are  temporarily  placed  at  the  dis- 
posal of  the  larger  units.  In  the  division,  the  two  companies  of 
pioneers,  the  company  of  mine  throwers,  and  the  searchlight  com- 
pany are  grouped  in  a  battalion. 

Special  Information, 
trench  mortars. 

These  units  were  not  provided  for  in  the  original  plan  of  mobiliza- 
tion. It  was  simply  specified  that  these  devices  were  operated  by 
pioneers.  A  ministerial  order  of  February  2,  1915,  directed  that  a 
detachment  of  two  heavy  trench  mortars  ?nd  a  detachment  of  six 
medium  trench  mortars  be  assigned  to  each  army  corps.  An  act 
of  May  26  added  a  detachment  of  six  light  trench  mortars  to  the 
army  corps.    This  allotment  has  been  greatly  increased. 

First,  (^'ompanies  of  trench  mortars.  The  detachments  of  heavy, 
medium,  and  light  trench  mortars  have  been  united  and  formed  into 
companies;  so  each  division  now  has  a  company  of  trench  mortars. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  43 

wliich  now  appears  to  have  4  heavy  trench  mortars  and  8  to  12 
medium.  In  a  general  way,  the  companies  are  numbered  in  the 
following  manner:  In  the  active  divisions  and  the  divisions  of  series 
50,  83,  and  101,  the  number  of  the  company  is  the  same  as  that  of 
the  division. 

In  the  old  reserve  divisions  and  the  reserve  divisions  of  the 
series  Nos.  43  and  75,  the  number  of  the  company  is  equal  to  the 
number  of  the  division  plus  200.  In  the  Landwehr  divisions,  the 
number  of  the  company  is  equal  to  the  number  of  the  division  plus 
300.  The  Bavarian  companies  have  different  numbers,  but  as- 
signed in  the  same  way. 

There  are  now  about  200  companies  of  trench  mortars. 

III.  Battalions  of  trench  mortars. — ^To  date  there  have  been  found 
six  battalions  of  trench  mortars  which  are  different  from  the  divi- 
sional companies.  They  appeared  on  the  front  between  July,  1915, 
and  July,  1916.  They  were  formed  originally  by  uniting  old  com- 
panies. They  are  now  each  of  four  companies,  which,  according  to 
prisoners'  testimony,  have  from  160  to  180  men,  and  each  use  6  heavy 
trench  mortars  and  12  light  trench  mortars. 

There  are  no  medium  trench  mortars  in  companies  forming  parts 
of  battalions.  Battalion  No.  3,  the  composition  of  which  we  show, 
has  four  companies,  a  detachment  of  telephone  operators  and  signal- 
men (gunsprech  und  signalabteilung),  a  detachment  of  munitions 
(munition  parkabteilung),  one  or  more  detachments  of  teams 
(bespannunysabteilungen),  and  a  repair  section  (messtrupp).  This 
appears  to  be  the  usual  complement  of  a  battalion  of  trench  mortars. 

These  battalions  are  mobile  units,  used  in  the  active  sectors; 
they  are  elements  of  the  army;  their  use  varies  according  to  circum- 
stances. They  are  placed  at  the  disposition  of  the  battalion  com- 
manders of  the  armies,  and  remain  in  the  sectors.  A  certain  num- 
ber of  heavy  detachments  are  provided  with  automobiles. 

Ersatz  battalions. — Seven  Ersatz  battalions  of  trench  mortars  have 
been  discovered.  They  are  stationed  at — the  first  at  Markendorf 
(near  Juterborg),  where  the  trench-mortar  school  is  also  situated; 
the  second  at  Thom,  the  third  at  the  Henberg  camp,  the  fourth  in 
the  XVIII  Region,  the  fifth  probably  in  the  VIII  Region,  the  sixth 
in  east€irn  Prussia,  the  Bavarian  Battalion  at  Munich.  These 
battalions  are  formed  of  a  variable  number  of  companies;  9  have 
been  found  in  the  first  battalion,  7  in  the  second,  5  in  the  others. 

IV.  Trench-mortar  schools. — There  are  several  very  large  trench- 
mortar  schools  in  Germany,  at  Markendorf  (near  Berlin),  at  L'nterluss 
(Hanover),  at  Henberg  (Banen),  at  Thom  (?). 


i4  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

Information  regarding  materiel.- — (See  twenty-second  edition  of 
"What  it  is  necessary  to  know  about  the  German  Army,"  pp.  35,  36.) 

Searchlight  sections  (Scheinwerfer). — The  detachments  are  supplied 
with  three  types  of  apparatus  (approximately  of  90  cm.,  of  CO  cm., 
and  of  30  cm.).  There  seemed  to  be  GCO  searchlight  detachments 
at  the  beginning  of  November,  1916.  (See  ''What  we  should  know 
about  the  German  Army,"  twenty -second  edition,  p.  80.) 

Detachments  of  flame  throwei's. — By  means  of  an  apparatus  carried 
on  a  man's  back,  liquid  fire  may  be  thrown  25  to  30  meters  (27.341 
to  32.809  yards).  One  man  carries  a  reservoir,  another  man  carries 
a  nozzle,  1.3  meters  (1.366  yards)  long,  which  is  connected  to  the 
reservoir  by  a  rubber  hose  5  or  6  meters  (5.468  cr  6.561  yards)  long. 

Detachments  of  specialists  in  the  use  of  gas. — (No  precise  data.) 

Detachments  of  specialists  for  utilizing  high-tension  currents  (Stark- 
stromabteilung). — (No  precise  data.) 

AVIATION. 

We  have  seen  that  the  allotment  of  the  field  aero  squadrons 
(Feldfliegerabteilung)  is  about  one  to  each  army  corps  and  each 
army.  Aviation  is  directed  technically  by  the  chief  of  the  A\iation 
Service  in  the  Field  (Fliigwesen),  who  is  at  the  general  headquarters 
of  the  army,  and,  in  each  army,  by  the  chief  airmen  of  the  Aviation 
Service  of  the  Army.  The  troops  of  aeronautics,  a\iation,  and 
aerial  defense  constitute  the  ("Lufstreitkrafte")  air-fighting  forces, 
forming  a  separate  arm  of  the  service  under  the  orders  of  one  chief 
for  the  interior. 

The  aero  squadrons  receive  what  they  need  from  the  army  aviation 
park  (Fliijzengpark  or  Fliigpark)  (storehouses  for  materiel,  apparatus, 
and  workshops)  or  from  an  organization  for  reinforcements  (Ersatz) 
situated  in  Germany,  which  supply  the  aero  squadrons  with  materiel, 
and  especially  with  jjersonnei.  There  are  also  a  number  etape 
aviation  parks. 

In  the  beginning  there  were  only  field  aero  squadrons.  During 
1915  artillery  aero  squadrons  were  formed  for  the  exclusive  use 
of  this  branch  of  the  service,  then  a  few  fighting  aero  squadrons, 
which  were  given  a  machine  having  a  great  reputation,  the  Fokker. 
To-day  the  organization  of  the  fighting  aero  squadron  is  very  fully 
developed  and  different  types  of  machines  are  used.  There  are 
10  (?)  fighting  aero  squadrons  (Kampfgesch wader),  each  of  6 
echelons  (staff elm)  of  10  machines. 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  45 

The  Germans  have  completely  given  up  the  "Tankes,"  and  use 
fewer  and  fewer  monoplanes.  They  are  trying  to  produce  a  very 
powerful  biplane  (one  of  the  Albatross-Boland  type).  Nearly  all 
the  motors  have  mufflers.  They  have  several  machines  with 
transparent  wings,  or  slightly  tinted  with  blue  (Blaue  Maiis).  The 
distinguishing  marks  on  these  machines  are  very  numerous,  but 
they  always  conform  to  the  type  or  in  the  shape  of  an  iron  cross. 
It  is  also  possible  that  the  Germans  use  a  cockade  of  the  national 
colors. 

The  best-known  types  of  aircraft  are  the  biplanes  Albatross, 
Aviatik,  L.  V.  G.  (Suftverkehrsgesellschaft)  and  A.  E.  G.  (Alle- 
gemeine  Electricitat  Gesellschaft),  and  the  Fokker  monoplanes. 
Less  used  are  the  Otto  and  the  Rumpler. 

Organization  of  thf.  German  aero  service  on  the  eastern  front. — ^I'he 
usual  distribution  of  the  aviation  units  on  the  eastern  front  seem 
to  be  as  follows:  At  the  disposition  of  general  headquarters,  6  battle 
dquadrons  (Kampfflugzeng-Geschwader)  subdivided  into  36  fight- 
ing aero  squadrons  (Kampf  staff  el),  and  comprising  21G  machines. 
At  the  disposition  of  each  army  headquai-ters,  1  Parsuit  aero  squadron 
(Jagdstaffel)  of  6  machines,  and  2  or  3  scouting  aero  squadrons 
(Gildflieger  Abteilungen)  of  12  to  18  machines.  At  the  disposition 
of  each  army  corps  headquarters,  1  scouting  aero  squadron  (Geld- 
flieger  Abterlungen)  of  6  machines,  1  artillery  aero  squadron 
(Artilleire  Flieger  Abtielung)  of  6  machines. 

This  distribution  is  subject  to  important  changes  on  account 
of  the  concentration  of  the  a\aation  units  where  circumstances 
demand. 

CAVALRY. 

In  peace  times  the  cavaliy  was  composed  of  110  regiments,  in 
brigades,  and  assigned  to  the  different  army  corps.  Only  the  guard 
had  a  division  of  cavalry.  During  the  mobilization  11  divisions 
of  cavalry  were  formed. 

The  cavalry  division  is  generally  composed  of — 

Three  brigades  of  2  regiments  of  4  troops  each,  without  distinc- 
tion between  the  different  types  of  cavalrj^;  1  battalion  of  3-horse 
batteries  of  4  guns,  with  a  column  of  ammunition;  1  detachihent 
of  pioneers  (1  officer,  3  noncommissioned  officers,  27  men);  1  ma- 
chine-gun detachment;  1  signal  corps  detachment;  1  or  more 
battalions  of  light  infantry,  including  a  cyclist  company. 

The  lest  of  the  cavalry  constituted  the  divisional  cavalry.  In  the 
beginning  there  was,  usually,  one  regiment  of  cavalry  to  each  active 


46  NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY. 

division.  But  this  allotment  has  been  entirely  revised,  and  a  great 
many  divisions  no  longer  have  divisional  cavalry.  In  the  divisions 
formed  in  1917  only  10  of  the  divisions  of  the  251  series  appear  to 
have  cavalry  units,  of  undetermined  strength. 

As  a  rule,  the  regiment  has  4  squadrons,  plus  1  machine-gun 
squadron. 

A  squadron  is  composed,  in  round  numbers,  of  5  officers  and  150 
men  and  is  divided  into  4  platoons. 

A  regiment  has  a  telegraphic  section  (4  noncommissioned  officers 
and  4  troopers)  under  the  orders  of  an  officer,  and  2  signal  groups, 
which  operate  the  visual  materiel  carried  in  the  regimental  wagon. 

The  combat  train  of  the  regiment  has  1  hospital  wagon;  2  pontoon 
wagons,  carrying  explosives  and  light  bridge  materiel  sufficient  to 
make  a  bridge  8  meters  (8.749  yards)  long  by  3  meters  (3.281  yards) 
wide,  or  a  footbridge  of  20  meters  (21.873  yards).  There  is  also  1 
telegraph  wagon. 

A  regiment  in  peace  times  had  five  squadrons.  One  of  these 
squadrons,  assigned  during  mobilization,  becomes  the  depot  of  the 
mobilized  regiment.  In  certain  regiments  this  squadron  was  made 
mobile  and  entered  into  the  composition  of  ersatz  organizations.  As 
a  result,  these  regiments  have  two  depot  squadrons,  one  of  which  is 
mobile  [sic]. 

The  reserve  units  haDve  one  depot  squadron  for  each  army-corps 
district.  Those  of  the  Landwehr  are  of  variable  strength  and  have 
no  depot  of  their  own. 

Use  of  the  cavalry — Organization — Dismounted  cavalry. — The  dis- 
mounting of  the  cavalry  units,  commenced  in  1915,  particularly 
affected  the  reserve  cavalry.  According  to  information  received, 
8,000  horses  had  been  turned  over  to  the  artillery  by  the  end  of  1916, 
and  of  the  645  squadrons  at  least  125  were  listed  as  dismounted. 

RAILROAD   TROOPS. 

In  peace  times  they  had  3  Prussian  regiments  (Nos.  1,  2,  3)  of  8 
companies;  1  Prussian  battalion  (No.  4)  of  4  companies;  3  com- 
panies for  operating  the  military  railroad,  Berlin-Jiiterbog;  1  Ba- 
varian battalion  of  4  companies. 

Total,  34  companies. 

During  mobilization  there  were  formed — 

Companies  for  railroad  construction:  35  companies  for  railroad 
construction;  32  reserve  companies  for  railroad  construction;  6 
Landwehr  companies  for  railroad  construction;  1  Bavarian  Land- 
strum  company  for  railroad  coastruction 


NOTES  ON  THE  GERMAN  ARMY.  47 

Exploitation  companies:  36  companies. 

Railroad  steVedore  companies :  23  companies. 

Battalions  of  railroad  section  gangs:  5  battalions. 

Auxiliary  battalions:  4  battalions. 

Depots:  The  four  railroad  regiments  and  the  Bavarian  battalion 
each  have  a  battalion  depot. 

The  general  organization  of  this  service  is  similar  to  the  same 
service  in  France. 


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